
Class. 
Book. 



PRESENTI-:n BY 



^^ 



YOUNG FOLKS' HIST( 




HISTOET OF INDIA. 



FROM THE 



RARLIEST TIMES TO 1880 



vt 



WILLIAM C. PEABCK 

AUTHOB OF "analysis OF ENGLISH HISTORY," STC, 



New YO'ak : 

WILLIAM U ALLISON CO. 



PBEFAGS. 



The present volume was undertaken with a view of 

furnishing the youthful student with a brief but com- 
prehensive history of the most ancient and interesting 
portion of the British Empire. 

The dominions of our sovereign beyond the seas — from 
their vast extent, increasing population, and boundless 
resources — are gaining so rapidly in importance, that a 
knowledge of them is now scarcely less necessary than 
an acquaintance with the history of our own country. 
To this condition of things the supervisors of British 
education have become alive; and a neglect of the sub- 
ject cannot be long tolerated in our schools. 

If so much importance attaches to the British depend- 
encies in general, the portion under notice has special 
claims upon our attention, inasmuch as its histoiy, 
replete with interesting incidents, is, in a great measure, 
a chronicle of the deeds of some of the foremost names 
in English story. 

Such considerations, it Is hoped, will be found to 
justify the Publishers In adding this to their historical 
series. 

w. a p. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER L 

Oeograpliical Description— Fart I. — Physical Features, • 9 

CHAPTER n , 

Geographical Description— Part IL—/*oZ*«»caZ i^'eflrfttfca, • 21 

CHAPTER m. 
The Inhabitants of India, • • • ,v • 81 

CHAPTER IV. 
Early History, ^ • • • • • 42 

CHAPTER V. 
The Mohammedan Conquest^ • • • t 48 

CHAPTER VI. 
Early Intercourse of European Nations with India» • 66 

CHAPTER VIL 
War in the Camatio, • • • • 68 

CHAPTER Vm, 
Events in Bengal, •••••• 74 

CHAPTER IX. 
Straggles of the English and French, • • • §1 

CHAPTER X. 

Events in Bengal {continued), • • « • 88 



H OOHTKNnU 

F40B 

CHAPTER XI* 
BventB in Madras, • • • • • M 

VBAFTERXTL 
Administration of Warren Hastings^ • • t • 100 

CHAPTER XnL 
First Mahratta War, • • • • • 106 

CHAFfER XIV. 
Second War with Hyder Ally, • • • .109 

CHAPTER XV. 
Administration of Lord Comwallis, • « • 118 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Administration of Sir John Shore, and Early Years of the 

Marquis Wellesley's £>eign, . • . . 124 

CHAPTER XVIL 
The Administration of the Marquis Wellesley {continued), 130 

CHAPTER XVm. 
Administration of Lord Minto, . • • • 1^ 

CHAPTER XIX. 
Adminiatration of the Marqnis of Hasting!!^ • • 14S 

CHAPTER XX. 
Lord Amherat^a Administration, • • • • 152 

CHAPTER XXL 
Admiaiitrayfln of Lord William Bentindt, • • 107 



vu 



CHAPTER XXIL 
Administration of Lord Aackkad, • • • 164 

CHAFTBBXXm. 
Administration of Lord Ellenborongh, • • • 170 

CHAPTER XXIV. 
Administration of Sir Henry Hardinge^ • • • 174 

CHAPTER XXV. 
Administration of Lord Dalhousie, • • • 179 

CHAPTER XXVL 
Administration of Lord Canning, , , • • 18S 

CHAPTER XXVII. 
Administration of Lord Canning {continued), , • 195 

CHAPTER XXVIIL 
Administration of Lord Canning {continued), • 203 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

Administration of Lord Canning (concluded) — Lord Elgin 

— Sir Joiin Lawrer.ee — Lord Mayo — Lord Northbrook, 210 

CHAPTER XXX. 
Progress of British Conqnesl^ • . « 213 

CHAPTER XXXL 
The Leading Inditm States^ • • • • 227 



HISTORY OF INDIA. 



CHAPTER L 

OBOOBAPHICAL DESCRIPTIOV. 

Pcurt L— Physical Features, 

General Description of the Country — ^Its great Physical Divisions 
— The Himalayan Region — Its Western, Central, and 
Eastern Portions — The Great Plain of the Ganges — Of the 
Indus — The Highlands of Central India — Table-Land of 
Malwar— The Deccan— The Vmdhya Hills— The Western 
Ghauts — The Eastern Ghauts — ^The Neilgherries — Southern 
India — Ceylon. 

There are few countries in the universe, geograpMcally 
speaking, more interesting than India.* An epitome of 
the vast continent with which it is associated — that 
portion of the globe which, perhaps, beyond any other, 
mswers to the description of the poet: 

•* A world of wonders, where creation seems 
No more the works of nature, but her dreams." 

It presents a diversity of surface, and a variety and 
grandeur of aspect which could scarcely be surpassed by 
the creations of the most fertile imagination. Here the 

♦ Or Hindustan, which term comes from the Persian, and signifies 
the country of the Hindus. It is employed to denominate the 
cis-Gangetic peninsula, or that ^art of India, or the East Indies, 
which Ues upon the western side of the River Ganges. The 
length of this peninsula from north to south is 1800 miles, and 
its greatest breadth along the parallel of 25° north latitude, about 
i500 miles. Its area is about 1,300,000 square flulM. 



10 BISTORT OF INDIA. 

terraced heights of a gigantic mountain chain, towering 
to the clouda, and shrouded in the mantle of eternal 
snow, look down into hollows of unfathomable depth, 
shelve gently into valleys traversed by the feeders of the 
mighty rivers of the peninsula, or tower above thickly- 
wooded glens of sublime and desolate grandeur. There 
the expanse of a boundless plain — ^for the most part 
covered with luxuriant vegetation, and crossed by the 
waters of the most majestic streams of the continent- 
sweeps across the land from its eastern to its western 
boundary. Now, a stretch of country presenting the 
appearance of a rough and broken table-land with an ex- 
tensive plateau beyond it, in parts monotonously level and 
treeless, in other quarters a pleasing alternation of hill 
and valley. The whole of this latter district is bounded 
by precipitous and well-wooded mountain chains — ^in some 
places shelving to the sea, in others presenting a rocky 
rampart to its waters. 

Nor is the botanical aspect of the country less varied 
and interesting than are its physical features. Possessing, 
by reason of its extent and diversity of surface, a climate 
varying from tropical heat to Arctic rigour, and a soil 
watered by innumerable streams, and unusually fertile, 
the vegetable productions of the entire world contribute 
to clothe and beautify its surface. " Its vast plains 
present the double harvests, the luxuriant foliage, and 
even the burning deserts of the torrid zone; the lower 
heights are enriched by the fruits and grains of the 
temperate climates; the upper steppes are clothed with 
vast pine-forests of the north; while the highest pinnacles 
are buried beneath the perpetual snows of the Arctic zone. 
We do not here, as in Africa and the polar regions, see 
nature under one uniform aspect; on the contrary, we 
have to trace gradual, yet complete transitions, between 
the most opposite extremes that can exist on the surface 
of the same planet." 

The features above mentioned divide India physically 
into five regions, namely — (1) the Himalayaoh Region; 
(2) the Great Plain; (3) the Vmdhycm Region^ or the hill 



GEOGRAPHICAL DBSCRIPTIOK. 11 

country of Central India; (4) the Decccm; anct (6) the 
Southern Begion. Each region has its own peculiar 
characteristic. 

The most strongly-marked of these is the Himalayan 
Region, embracing as it does a mountain system, unpar- 
alleled in its extent and sublimity by any other range 
of the Old World, and unequalled in many respects 
- — as, for instance, in the loftiness of its peaks — ^by the 
gigantic systems of the New. For the space of 1000 
miles, there may be traced a continuous line 21,000 feet 
above the sea, from which, as a base, detached peaks 
ascend to the additional height of 5000 or 6000 feet, 
and in all probability -9000. The inhabitants of the 
Bengal plain must contemplate, with no little wonder, 
this long an-ay of white pinnacles forming the boundary 
of the distant horizon. The range in question passes 
along the northern portion of the country from west to 
east, a distance of some 1500 miles, its breadth varying 
from 80 to 120 miles; while its mass embraces an area 
of something like 15,000 superficial miles, or nearly twice 
that of Great Britain. 

For the sake of convenience, the range may be divided 
into three portions — ^the Western, Central^ and Eastern, 
The western portion may be said to commence with the 
Gusie Mountains, a snow-capped ridge which, protruding 
into the great south bend of the Indus, runs in a parallel 
direction to its upper course. The Sutlej and other 
tributaries of the Indus take their rise in this part of the 
range; ^nd here the ridge is crossed by many and 
important passes. These media of communication be- 
tween Hindustan and the highlands of Thibet are, owing 
to the structure of the mountains, perilous in the highest 
degree; the roads, which in some places are carried over 
the tops of the hills 20,000 feet above the sea-level, skirt 
the brink of awful precipices, pass in dangerous proximity 
to seething torrents, or thread a tortuous course through 
gloomy ravines, bordered by eminences which seem to 
reach the very skies. 

Connected with this portion of the range, and enclosed 



13 HISTORY OF INDIA, 

by its ridges, is the Vale of Cashmere, so long and tmiver 
sallj celebrated as a terrestrial paradise. It was in this 
delightful region, upon the shore of a lake formed hy the 
waters brought down by the numerous mountain rills, 
that the Mogul sovereigns built a city of palaces; and 
hither they were wont to withdraw to enjoy what leisure 
they <jould snatch from the turmoils of government. 
Poets have never wearied of singing the delights of this 
region, of extolling the verdure of its hill sides, and 
praising the roses of its vales; while Cashmerean beauty 
has become a proverb. The fairy-like descriptions of 
this land have received considerable modification from 
the reports of modem travellers; still it would be difficult 
to find a spot which nature has more richly endowed with 
her gifts than this Himalayan vale. 

The central portion of the Himalayas extends from the 
Sutlej valley, eastward, to Bootan. It is in the western 
part of this district that the sublimity of the range cul- 
minates; for, along the heads of the Jumna, Ganges, and 
Gogra, are massed some of the highest pinnacles in the 
universe. Nearly thirty peaks exceed the altitude of 
Chimborazo, and some attain the unparalleled height of 
nearly 30,000 feet, or about 5 J miles. Among these may 
be mentioned Dhawalagiri and Ghora Cotee. Here, too, 
the ridge is exceedingly broad, being composed of enor- 
mous masses protruding as spui"S from the main chain. 
These offsets branch in every direction, and are separated 
from each other by long narrow valleys, or ravines. 
They are clothed in summer with luxuriant vegetation, 
but during the greater part of the winter they are buried 
in deep snow. 

The aspect of the higher portion of the range has been 
thus described : " Generally speaking, the character of 
this moimtain chain is rugged and stem; its ridges rise 
behind each other in awful array ; but they enclose no 
rural scenes, nor present any gentle undulations. Their 
steep sides, sometimes wooded, sometimes presenting vast 
faces of naked rock, dip down abruptly, forming dark 
chasms and ravinesi at the bottom of which there is 



THE HIMALAYAS. 



la 




14 BISTOBT OF INDIA* 

only room for the torrent to force its way tlirough rada 
fragments fallen from the cliffs above." By far th» 
greatest span of this central region is composed of the 
British province of Kumaon and the dominions of the 
rajah of Nepaul. 

The eastern stretch of the Himalayas extends from the 
western frontier of Bootan to the Brahmapootra. The 
slopes of this portion of the range, which form a descent 
from the table-land of Thibet, are occupied by the province 
of Bootan, Upon the northern frontier of Bootan, where 
it abuts on the dominion of Sikkim, the highest summit 
of the Kunchinjunga Mountains about here, comprises 
the loftiest pinnacle of the world; while Chumilari, 
scarcely less lofty, attains the sublime altitude of some 
28,000 feet. The pass of Soomoonang connected, with 
this district, about 15,000 feet above the level of the 
sea, is one of the loftiest highways of the Himalayas. 

Descending the slopes of this enormous mountain range 
we come upon our second territorial division, namely, the 
Plain Country of the Ganges and Indus. " The Himaleh 
range, where it touches on the champaign country, is 
almost everywhere girt with a peculiar belt or border 
called the Tarryani This term is applied to a plain 
about 20 miles broad, upon which the waters from the 
higher regions are poured down in such profusion, that 
the river beds are unable to contain them. They accord- 
ingly overflow, and convert the ground into a species of 
swamp, which, acted on by the burning rays of a tropical 
sun, throws up an excessively rank vegetation, whereby 
the earth is choked rather than covered. The soil is con- 
cealed beneath a mass of dark and dismal foliage; while 
long grass and prickly shrubs shoot up so densely and so 
close, as to form an almost impenetrable barrier. It is 
still more awfully guarded by the pestilential vapours 
exhaling from those dark recesses, which make it at 
certain seasons a region of death." 

The Gangetic plain may be considered the most impor- 
tant portion of the country, iuasmuch as it is the most 
thoroughly cultivated, the most industrious, and by far 



osooBAPHicAL descriptiom; 15 

the most thickly peopled. Sweeping tlie entire breadth 
of the country from west to east, it constitutes a territory 
some 1500 miles in length, with a breadth vaiying from 
800 to 400 nules. Its vast importance arises from its 
extreme fertility. Watered by the copious streams which 
have their birth in the Himalayas, and enriched by their 
deposits, it possesses a soil which, in its productiveness, 
is scarcely equalled by any other region of the known 
world. 

The easternmost portion of this plain, which is occupied 
by the old province of Bengal, exhibits a tract of country 
whose monotonous level is scarcely interrupted by a 
single hillock. Connected with this portion of the plain 
are the celebrated Sunderbunds — ^an uncultivated belt of 
salt marsh lying between the outlets of the Ganges and 
Brahmapootra. Some excellent timber, however, is found 
in places; and the rhinoceros, the tiger, and other denizens 
of the forest find shelter in the woods, or lurk among 
the tall rank grass, which supplies the place of useful 
vegetation in this swampy tract. To the north of the 
Sunderbunds lies a district marvellously enriched by the 
periodical inundations to which it is subject; and here 
rice is produced in great abundance. This is especially 
the case with the trans-Gangetic region of Tirhoot. To 
the west lies a drier country, in which grain, cotton, and 
indigo are extensively cultivated. 

Westward of Bengal, in the province of Bahar, the 
country is somewhat more diversified; but the same 
unbroken level presents itself in the adjoining province 
of Allahabad. The monotony of the plain throughout is, 
however, well relieved by the matchless mantle of vegeta- 
tion wherewith it is clothed. To the north of the river 
lie the provinces of Oude and Rohilcund; and here the 
country slopes gently upwards towards the great moun- 
tain chain, the intense heat which characterises the low 
regions just described gradually relaxes to the temperature 
of an European spring, and the vegetation is consequently 
of a most varied character. Between the Ganges and 
Jumna lies the district known as the Doab, which possessei 



16 BI8T0BT OF QIPU* 

a soil Bcaroely so fertile as the Bengal plain in general; 
though it is extremely well wooded, and of an agreeable 
temperature. Farther southward, ike country is broken 
by offsets from the Vindhya range, which belongs, how- 
ever, to another territorial division. 

Quitting the valleys of the Ganges and Jumna, and 
advancing westward, we come upon the plain of the 
Indus. The northern part of this level is known as the 
Punjaub, or country of the five rivers. This extensive 
tract greatly resembles in productions and general aspect 
the plain of Bengal. The Punjaub is of the highest 
interest to us, as Englishmen of the ninteenth century, 
inasmuch as here, in its inhabitants, the Sikhs, our 
countrymen encountered the most determined foes with 
whom they ever crossed swords; and upon its soil, con- 
sequently, a series of the stoutest fights scarcely proclaimed 
the superiority of British arms over this warlike race. 

This province, however, together with the contiguous 
provinces of Lahore and Moultan, now form part of 
British territory. To the south of Moultan, and between 
the basins of the Indus and Ganges, lies an extensive 
tract of sand, covered with saline incrustations and 
marine deposits, which form a wilderness equalling 
in its dreariness the most desert tracts of the African 
continent. This desert is more elevated than the plains 
on each side of it, and is bordered towards the south-east 
by the Aravelli chain, which forms the watershed between 
the Ganges and Indus. Farther on, and bordering upon 
the Sea of Arabia, is situated the province of Sinde, a 
thinly-peopled district, well watered by the inundations 
of the Indus, and in the highest degree productive. 

As we advance southward, we approach the third 
territorial division, namely, the Highlands of Central 
India. The undulations of this part of the country are 
connected with the Vindhya range, and the principal 
feature of it is the table-land of Malwar. This table-land 
comprises an area of some 14,000 square miles, and 
attains a maximum elevation of 2000 feet. Its surface 
Is exceedingly level, a few hills only occurring hero and 



aBOGRAPHICAL DESCBIPTIOIT. ^ 17 

tnere, and rone of them with an elevation over 200 feet. 
The soil of this table-land is productive — ^tropical crops 
and the vegetation of the temperate zones being produced 
in abundance. 

The next division in order is known as the Deccan. 
Properly speaking, the Deccan includes all the country 
to the south of the Vindhya Hills; in modem practice, 
however, the term is often limited to the country lying 
between that chain and the river Kistna. This region, 
which may be said to lie between the 21st and 12th 
parallels, is" triangular in shape, with the Vindhya 
Hills and the East and West Ghauts as its three 
sides, its apex being rounded off by the bold sweep of 
the Neilgherry HUls. By far the greater part of this 
extensive tract is occupied by a table-land, whose boun- 
daries to the east and west are flanked by low-lying 
plains that stretch to the ocean. Its most eWated 
portion is found in the south, where, under the name of 
the table-land of Mysore, it attains an elevation of 3000 
feet. Further north the plain dips; and here is found 
the bed of its chief river — the Kistna. Rising again, 
farther northward, it attains to an elevation ranging 
from 1000 to 2500 feet." As a whole, the Deccan may be 
described as an extensive plateau, bordered by mountain 
chains. Its central portions ar^ usually level, with low 
hills of conical shape scattered about its surface. Those 
parts, liowever, which lie in the vicinity of the border 
chains are well diversified by the spurs which they every- 
where send forth. Such is the character of the Mahratta 
country in the south-west, whence a brave and hardy race 
once issued to harass their neighbours, to baffle English 
skill and valour, and to disconcert the plans of many an 
astute governor. Upon this table-land originate some of 
the mightiest rivers of the peninsula^as the Mahanuddy, 
Godavery, and Kistnsi. 

The deep rich valley of the Nerbudda lying between 
the Vindhya range and the Satpoora Mountains is worthy 
of special notice. Its most imposing features, however, 
are the mountain ranges which support it. The Vindhya 



18 HISTOBT OF INDU. 

Hills on the north begin about the 74th meridian; anc^ 
stretching eastward, run in a parallel line with the 
Nerbudda, in some places approaching its northern bank 
and skirting it as a monster wall. Upon the north side 
of the river the slope is everywhere rapid; and, as the 
range is intersected by numerous gorges, a series of 
natural bastions is thereby formed, of which, in times 
gone by, advantage has often been tal^en for purposes 
of defence. Towards the north the slope is exceedingly 
gentle; and upon this side — the range being widely ex- 
tended and of moderate height — ^it presents rather the 
aspect of a rough, unbroken table-land than a mountain 
range. The Vindhya Hills, properly so called, terminate 
near Bhopal. Their undulations are, however, observed 
farther eastward, nearing the valley of the Ganges. This 
part of the range is called by the natives the Kimoor 
Mountains. 

The Western Ghauts, which bound the Deccan to the 
west, begin in the neighbourhood of the Tapty, and, 
running southward, follow the line of the Indian Ocean 
some thirty miles from its shore; in places, however, 
approaching so close as to form a rock-bound coast. The 
range terminates about 11° north latitude. It is well 
wooded and fertile, the summit being crowned by th* 
stately areca, sago, and other palms, and the valuabLe 
teak, sandal, and other woods. Except towards th*j 
south, the point at which the Neilgherries take theiir 
departure, they are only moderately elevated and of in 
considerable width. The slope on the ocean side in 
exceedingly rapid, a circumstance which interferes con- 
siderably with commercial enterprise in this quarter. 
The narrow district lying between the ridge and the 
ocean is usually known as Malabar, though the more 
northern stretch is often termed Concan and Canara. 

The Eastern Ghauts, which interpose between the 
Deccan and the Bay of Bengal, occupy a larger area than 
the Western, though they are not so lofty, and are far 
less striking in their general aspect — having, in the place 
of stately forest trees, a dry, stony soil, monotonous in 



•lOORAPHICAL DESCBIPnOV. 1 9 

the extreme. The only exceptions to this aridity are the 
valleys, or rather clefts, through which the great rivers, 
originating upon the table-land, find their way to the 
ocean. The nearest approach made by these Ghauts to 
the sea is towards the north in Orissa and the Circars. 
To the south of the Kistna, the plain enclosed by this 
ridge and the ocean is known as the Coromandel. It ia 
much wider than that of Malabar. 

The short chain of the Neilgherries completes the boun- 
daries of this extensive plateau. This ridge issues from 
the Western Ghauts somewhere towards their southern 
extremity, and runs eastward for about sixty miles, form- 
ing the southern boundary of the province of Mysore. 
The aspect of these mountains is rather pleasing than 
romantic, as, throughout their extent, they present a 
surface of broad vales and gentle uplands, with consider- 
able stretches of level ground intervening. The region 
is, however, considerably elevated, and one lofty ridge 
crosses it containing a peak that attains a height of 
nearly 9000 feet. The soil of the region is fertile, the 
surface being usually covered with rich verdure, and the 
climate extremely delightful. Advantage has been taken 
of this circumstance to establish upon its grounds sanitary 
stations, in which Europeans may re-establish their health 
when impaired by the enervating climate of the country. 

The fifth and last territorial division comprises the 
extreme southern corner of the peninsula; and may con- 
sequently be denominated Southern India. It consists 
of a triangular piece of country having the Gap of Coim- 
batore — a deep valley uniting the lowlands of the eastern 
and western coasts, and flanked by the Neilgherries— and 
the southern sweep of the Eastern Ghauts as its base, with 
Cape Comorin as its apex. The coast of the Carnatic— 
which province forms by far the largest portion of this 
region — is low and sandy, especially between Capes 
Calimere and Comorin. Proceeding inland, salt swamps 
and lagoons^ alternating with sand-dunes, make up an un- 
interesting region; but, farther on, the country gradually 
ascends to the mountainsj which strike from the Wester^ 



20 HISTOEY OF INDIA. 

Ghauts southward to Cape Oomorin, and form the highest 
ground in the entire peninsula, unconnected with the 
Himalayas. The country to the west of this ridge, unlike 
the Carnatic region, is somewhat diversified. 

To this southern region may perhaps be added Ceylon, 
an island about 25,000 miles in superficial extent, and 
separated from the mainland by the Gulf of Manaar and 
Palk's Strait. The channel between the island and the 
mainland is nearly filled up by a series of sandbanks, 
which, under the name of Adam's Bridge, extend from 
the island of E-ameseram, off" Cape Torritorio, to the island 
of Manaar, ofi'the coast of Ceylon. The interior consists of 
highlands interspersed with numerous lakes. The nucleus 
of its highlands is formed towards the southern and broader 
part of the island, where the mountains rise — as in Adam's 
Peak, and in the still greater elevation of Pedrotallagalla — 
to upwards of seven and eight thousand feet respectively. 

The principal range takes a latitudinal direction; but, 
from the nucleus whence the ridge issues, other ofisets 
are detached towards the southern coast, which form 
numerous and well-watered valleys. The highlands 
stand a considerable distance from the coast, and a 
broad belt of low land of extreme fertility thus sur- 
rounds the island. The coast of Ceylon is therefore 
generally flat and abounds in salt lagoons. This is 
especially the case with its western and north-western 
sides, where the coast is often broken into majestic bays. 
The eastern side is in many parts bold and rocky. The 
son of Ceylon varies. In the west it is sandy and un-' 
fruitful; in other parts it is highly fertile, producing rice 
and other crops in abundance. The cinnamon-laurel is 
indigenous to Ceylon, and the cocoa-nut is cultivated in 
great abundance. The climate, affected as it is by the 
monsoons, is not less varied than its soil. The gems of 
the island are very celebrated. - 

Ceylon is the Tuperbane and Salice of the Greeks and 
Komans. In the Cingalese annals it is called Sinha-su- 
Duipa (the island of lions); the Arabs named it Serendib| 
and tjie Portuguese, Selai*. 



CHAPTER IL 

iBOORAPHICAL DBSCBIPTIOXi 

Part Il.—PolUical Features. 

The Three Presidencies— The Sub-Presidencies— The Central 
Provinces — Island of Ceylon — Governments — Presidency ol 
Bengal — of Bombay — of Madras — The North- West Provinces 
— Central Provinces — Punjaub-^Oude — ^British Burmah— 
Ceylon— Native States and their Chief Towns— Foreign 
Possessions. 

Such are the physical divisions of Hindostan. Politically, 
t{he country is divided (1) into three presidencies, namely, 
Bengali Bombay, and Madras; (2) four sub-presidencies, 
or lieutenant-governorships, namely, Agra or the North- 
West Provinces, as it is sometimes called, the Punjauby 
Oude, and British Btmnahf or the Straits Settlements; 
(3) the Central Provinces, which are under the control 
of a chief commissioner; and (4) the Island of Ceylon, 
under a governor appointed by the British sovereign. 
In these divisions are included the British possessions, 
or the territories under the direct rule of the British 
government, and the native states which are either 
independent, or connected with us by treaty. These 
latter are either tributary, subsidiary, allied, or protected; 
and all of them more or less under British supervision 
or control. 

These several divisions are under the superintendence 
of governors appointed by the ministry. The viceroy 
or governor-general supervises the concerns of the country 
as a whole. His authority extends specially over the 
north of India; the provinces there being periodically 
visited and inspected by him in person. 



22 filStORY 01- INDIA. 

The presidency of Bengal includes tlie old province of 
Bengal, consisting of the divisions of Moorshedabad, 
Dacca, and Jessore; Bahar, comprised of Patna and 
Bhwagulpore; Assam, with the North-east Frontier; 
Chittagong, the Kuttack Mehals, and a collection of small 
states known as^lhe South-west Frontier, altogether 
amounting to an area of 265,000 square miles. 

This presidency comprises the lower basins of the 
Ganges and Mahanuddy. Its chief towns are Calcuttaf 
on the Hooghly, an arm of the Ganges, the capital of 
India, its seat of government, and the residence of the 
governor-general; Moorshedabad, the ancient capital of 
the nabobs of Bengal; Burdioan, the capital of the fertile 
district of that name; Cossimhazar, Dacca, a manufactur- 
ing town of celebrity, and sometime a place of great 
splendour, and the capital of Bengal; Jessore, Dinagepore, 
Patna, in the centre of a rice-growing district, and the 
modem capital of Bahar; Monghier, noted for its iron 
manufactures; Gaya^ with a celebrated temple to Vishnu; 
Serarrvpore, once in possession of the Danes; and the 
French settlement of Ghandernagore. 

The presidency of Bombay consists of the once famous 
and extensive Mahratta dominions, together with the 
province of Sinde, arid embraces the territory bounded 
westward by the Nizam's dominions, and northward by 
the Tungabudra river. Among its divisions occur the 
familiar names of Surat, North and South Concan, North 
Canara, Kandeish, Ahmednuggur, Poonah, Satara, Dar- 
war, and the Deccan. 

This presidency is watered by the lower course of the 
Indus, the Loonee, the Chumbul, a tributary of the 
Ganges, the Nerbudda, the Tapty, and the lower course 
of the Kistna. 

Among its principal towns are Bombay, the capital 
of the presidency, and residence of the governor; Surat, 
a considerable seaport, trading largely in cotton, and the 
earliest English settlement upon the Indian coast ; 
Ahmedabad, in Guzerat, a city of great antiquity; 
B^apore, a strong fortrofis not far irom the left bank of 



CnOGKAPBICAL DEscttipnos; 23 

the Kistna, and formerly a city of great magnificence; 
ScUara^ the ancient capital of the Mahratta rajahs; 
Poonahf in the Deccan, the former seat of the Peshwa's 
government; Ahmednuggur; Hyderabad in Siiide, on 
the Indus^ and Kurraahee, a seaport in the same dis- 
trict. 

The presidency oi Madras embraces nearly the whole 
of the peninsula south of the Kistna, together with a 
strip of country lying along the coast of the Bay of 
Bengal, and known as the Circars. It embraces a por- 
tion of the district of the Circars, already mentioned, 
the Camatic, the ceded districts of Mysore, or the Bala 
Ghauts, Nangore, Coimbatore, Coorg, Canara, and Mala- 
bar, Travancore, and Cochin. Madras is watered by 
the Godavery and the feeders upon its right bank, the 
Kistna, and its tributary the Toongabudra, the Pennair, 
Cauvery, and several other streams of lesser volume and 
importance. 

Its principal towns are Madras, the capital of the 
presidency; Tamjore, on the Cauvery, the capital city of 
the rajah of the province; Trichinopolyy on the same 
liver, and not far from Tanjore, a fortress, and a place of 
some trade; MasuUpatam, one of the earliest of the 
British settlements in India; NeUorey a populous com- 
mercial town; Gonjeveramy a Brahminical city containing 
celebrated pagodas to Siva and Vishnu; Velhrey a fortress 
and military station; Mangalore, Calicut^ and Cochiny 
seaports on the Malabai* coast; Madwra; Seringapatamy 
the capital of the province of Mysore; and Bellary and 
Gooty-droogy fortresses in the ceded districts. 

The territory known as the North-west Provinces 
includes the district lying around Oude, and stretching 
along the Ganges, from the confluence of the Gogra with 
that river to the upper course of the Jumna. Among 
its divisions are Benares, Agra, Meerut, Kohilcund, Jansi, 
Ajmeer, and Kumaon. This district, which has an area 
of 86,000 square miles, is well watered by the main stream 
of the Ganges, and the Jumna, Goomtee, (Jogra, and other 
feeders of that river. Its chief towns are Allahabad, at 



24 BISTORT OF INDIA. 

the junction of the Ganges and Jumna, the capital, an 
important fortress, and a holy city and place of pilgrim- 
age; Cawnpore, an important military station, and cele- 
brated historically as the scene of an atrocious massacre 
of our countrymen during the Sepoy rebellion of 1857 ; 
Benares, an ancient Brahminical city on the Ganges, and 
the resort of Hindu pilgrims from all parts; Mirza/pore; 
Gorackpore; Agra, the capital of the province of that 
name, an ancient city containing the magnificent Taze 
Mahal, wherein is the tomb of the Emperor Shah 
Jehangire. Agra is venerated by Hindus as the place 
of the incarnation of Vishnu; Fv/rruckabadj a place of 
some trade; Muti/ra, a large town, and a sacred city; 
Meerut, the chief city of the division of Meerut; AUeyghur; 
Bwreilly, in Rohilcund, a place of great trade; and 
Ha/mpoor, 

The division known as the Central Provinces comprises 
the northern portion of the Deccan, being situated to the 
north of the Godavery, and to the west of Orissa. This 
district, which is under the jurisdiction of a chief com- 
missioner, has an area of 120,000 square miles. It 
consists mainly of the province of Nagpore, and certain 
districts to the north-west of it, known as the Nerbudda 
and Sanger territory. The country here is watered by 
the Godavery, and the upper courses of the Nerbudda 
and Tapty. It contains but one town of importance, 
namely, Nagpore, near the capital of the dominions of the 
rajah of Berar, and the present capital of the district of 
Gundwayna. 

The Punjaub, or country of the Five Rivers, includes, 
besides the old province known by that name, and 
watered by the affluents of the Indus, the British 
territory lying to the east of it, and forming the upper 
basin of the Sutlej and Jumna. Its divisions are Moultan, 
Lahore,Umritsir, Jhelum, JuUundalijLeiro, and Peshawar, 
to the west of the Sutlej; and Delhi, Hissar, and the ois- 
Sutlej States to the east of that river. 

The chief towns in the vice-presidency are: Lahore, on 
the Bavee, the seat of Government; Mouliaai^ near the 



eSOGtlAPHTCAti t)ESCFTPT10!7. §5 

left bank of the Chenab, a large and popnlotis town; 
Umritsir; Delhi, the former capital of the Moguls, and 
one of the most ancient and splendid cities of India; 
J^erozepore, on the Sutlej, a considerable military station; 
and Peshawar, near the right bank of the Cabool river, 
and upon the frontier of Afghanistan; Paniput, Loodiana, 
Sohraon, Aliwal, Goojerat, Ferozeshah, and Moodkee — all 
within the Punjaub territory-— are historically celebrated 
as great battle-fields. 

The lieutenant-governorship of Oude comprises the 
newly-annexed state of that name; and is bounded upon 
the north by Nepaul, upon the south by the Ganges, and 
upon the east and west by the territory of the North- 
west Provinces. The country, which is well watered by 
the Goomtee, and other tributaries of the Ganges, has an 
area of 28,000 square miles. 

The chief towns within the province are Luchnow, the 
capital, a populous place, and memorable from its associa- 
tion with the chief events of the Indian Mutiny ; Oude, 
and Fyzahad. The aflfairs of the dominion are adminis- 
tered by a lieutenant-governor. 

British Burmah comprises all the Indian territory 
belonging to Britain situated without the bounds of the 
peninsula. It consists of the provinces of Arracan, 
Pegu, Martaban, the Tenasserim Provinces, and the 
Straits Settlements. These provinces stretch along the 
eastern shores of the Bay of Bengal for 700 miles, and 
are valuable chiefly as rice-growing districts — abundant 
crops of which cereal are produced upon the rich alluvial 
soil of the country — and for the timber-trees which clothe 
the hills upon its eastern boundary. The Tenasserim 
Provinces are four in number, namely, Amherst, Yeh, 
Tavoy, and Mergui. The Straits Settlements lie beyond 
the bounds of Tenasserim, the most southern of the pro- 
vinces, and consist of the islands of Penang and Singapore, 
the town of Singapore, Wellesley Province, and the town 
of M!a,lacca. 

The chief towns of British Burmah are Bassdn^ 
Rangoon^ and Prorne, in Pegu; MoiUmdn in the Teuaa- 



S6 HIStORlr of INDIA. 

serim Provinces; and Singapcyre, upoii the island of that 
name. 

Ceylon consists mainly of the island of that name. Its 
affairs are administered by a governor appointed by the 
crown; and it is therefore a separate presidency. Its 
chief towns are: GolombOf the capital, and the seat of 
the government, situated upon the western coast of the 
island. It is a place of great trade, and is strongly 
fortified. Besides trading largely in spices and other 
Indian produce, cocoa-nut oil is largely supplied by its 
numerous crushing-mills; Point de Galle, upon the south- 
west coast, the chief seaport of the island; Kandy, in the 
centre of the island, the old capital of the dominions of 
the King of Kandy; Trincomalee, upon the neck of a 
peninsula on the north-west coast, possesses the finest 
harbour in the island, and is a place of great trade; 
Newera Elliay situated in a healthy and picturesque 
neighbourhood, the principal government sanitarium of 
the island. 

Ceylon, which has an area of 25,000 square miles, has 
long been wholly or partially connected with Britain. 

In addition to the British possessions there are the 
Native and Foreign States. The former are more or less 
connected with the governments of the presidencies — the 
native rulers being retained, some as subsidiary, some 
tributary, some protected, and others only nominally 
independent, but all of them under British supervision 
and control. The names of some of these, it will be seen, 
occur in connection with the presidencies with which they 
are physically associated. This repetition arises from the 
fact that the provinces bearing their several names have 
been broken up and divided amongst the British and 
native princes. 

Among the states of the first denomination may be 
mentioned Guzerat, or the Guicowar's dominions, Cam bay, . 
Cutch, Kolapore, Satara, connected with Bombay; Cochin, 
Mysore, Travancore, and Jeypore, connected with Madras; 
and Hyderabad or the Nizam's dominions, Nagpore or 
Berar. Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Bundelcund, Bajpootana, 



©fiOGRAPSlCAli DESC&IPTIOJr. 27 

or the Bajpoot States, Eohilcimd, Bhwalpore, the Sikb 
States, Cashmere, Nepaul,Sikkim, Kuttack, Tipperah,eta, 
connected with the northern presidencies and govern- 
ments. 

Guzerat, or the Gnicowar's dominions, embraces an 
extensive territory lying to the south of Rajpootana, and 
to the west of Malwah. A large portion of it is a penin- 
sula lying between the Gulfs of Cutch and Cambay. The 
Guicowar is the representative of a line of Mahratta 
.jhieftainsj whose patronymic — like tbat of our Scottish 
nnd Irish chiefs — have come to be employed as a title. 
f^he dominion is divided among a number of petty sove- 
I eigns who are subject either to the Guicowar or to the 
] British. The Guicowar himself is in subsidiary alliance 
with the British. The capital is Baroda, one of the 
■vrealthiest cities in India. 

Cutch is a territory lying between Guzerat and Sinde, 
from which latter it is separated by an extensive salt- 
marsh called the Hunn. It is governed by a prince 
named the Ras, who is under British protection. £hooj 
is the modern capital of the principality, and Mandavee 
its chief port. 

Cambay, an insignificant district situated at the head 
of the gulf of that name, governed by a nabob who is 
tributary to the British. 

Kolapore, a small Mahratta state in the "Western 
Ghauts, and within the province of Bejapore, is under 
a rajah. The affairs of the state, however, are adminis- 
tered by a deputy appointed by the British government. 
The capital bears the name of the state. 

Sattara, a district occupying a portion of the Western 
Ghauts, and of the iiblela^nd of the Deccan, is under 
British management. Among its towns are Sattaray the 
ancient Mahratta capital, and Bejapore. 

Cochin, to the north of TravancOre, is now included in 
the district of Malabar. Its capital is Trichoor, 

Mysore, the ancient dominion of Hyder Ali and Tippoo 
Sahib, is governed by a Hindu rajah. The capital is 
Mysore^ which contains the rajah's palaca Swinga^atam, 



28 filSTOKY OF limiA. 

the former capital, stands on an islet in the Cauvery, and 
is well fortified. Bednore and Bcmgalore are among the 
commercial towns of the province. 

Travancore lies along the Malabar coast at the southern 
extremity of the peninsula. Its capital is Trivandrumy 
a large and populous place not far from the coast. 

Jeypore, a consideiuble principality lying between the 
Circars and Nagpore upon the northern side of the Goda- 
very. Its chief town is Jeypjire, on a tributary of the 
Godavery, which river forms the southern boundary of 
the province. 

Hyderabad, or the Nizam's dominions, comprises an 
extensive territory, and is the largest of all the protected 
states. It occupies the centre of the northern portion of 
the Deccan, being surrounded by the dominion of Mysore. 
Jeypore, the central provinces, Berar, and the Ceded Dis- 
tricts. The capital is Hyderahadj a. populous town largely 
engaged in diamond cutting, and situated on a small 
tributary of the Kistiia. Near it is Golconda, a fortified 
place, and 'of world-wide celebrity from its supply ot 
diamonds. Other towns are Berar, Dowlatabad, Aurung- 
ahad, and Flora. 

Berar, or as it is sometimes termed, Nagpore, is attached 
to the Central Provinces; and is, in effect, under the entire 
control of the British. The rajah is a merely nominal 
sovereign, as the management of the province is in the 
hands of a political agent of the British government, who 
resides at Nagpore. The boundaries of the province, 
owing to its divided condition, are not easily definable. 
Nagpore, in the province of Gundwayna, is the capital. 

Bhopal, a small principality of some 6000 or 7000 miles 
in area, situated between the Mahratta states and the 
ceded districts of the Nerbudda. It is under British pro- 
tection. Its capital is a town of the^me name, standing 
near the river Bere, at the foot of the Vindhya Hills. 

Q-walior, or Scindia's territory, is made up of several 
detached districts between the Yindhya Hills and the 
Chumbul river. Its capital is Gwalwr^ a town not for 
from the Chumbul. 



OBOOKAPHIOAL DESCRIFTIOH; 2d 

Indore, or Holkar's territory, is situated in the Vindhya 
country. It consists of several detaclied districts of Mal- 
wah, its principal- portions being watered by the Ner- 
budda. The capital is Indore^ the residence of Holkar. 
Other towns are Oujein, once the residence of Scindia, 
Perluhghur^ and Bhampoor. 

Bundelcund or Bundela lies to the south of the Jumna, 
between the provinces of Rewah, Malwah, and Gwalior. 
Bundelcund consists of a number of states, a few of which 
are protected and tributary. British connection with the 
Bundelcund States dates from the beginning of the present 
century. The representative of the ancient rulers is a 
pensioner of the British government. The chief towns 
are Bundaj the capital, and the seat of government of the 
old nabobs of Bunda; Jeitpore, Jhansi, Chittapore, etc. 

The Rajpoot States embrace an extensive territory on 
the western side of the Chumbul. The Aravelli Moun- 
tains run through them from south-west to north-east, to 
the west of which range the country is extremely desert. 
Ajmeer, and the district around it, situated in the centre 
of the states, is British territory. The remainder of them 
are under E-ajpoot princes. Among the stalies are 
Ajmeer, already mentioned, Jeypore, with a capital bear- 
ing the same name; Marwar, capital Jhodpore; Mewar, 
capital Oodipore, and Chitot'e, an ancient and flourishing 
town. 

Rohilcund lies ^to the north-west of the province of 
Oude, and occupies the upper basin of the Ganges and 
Jumna. Its capital is Bareilly, situated within the dis- 
trict of Bareilly, one of the British possessions in this 
quarter. 

The Khannate of Bhawulpore lies to the north of the 
desert of Scinde, upon the left side of the Jumna. 

The Sikh States, which are under British protection, 
lie between the Pmijaub and the states of the north-west 
provinces. This territory is virtually British. 

Cashmere, or Gholab Singh's territory, is in the Hima- 
layan district to the north-east of the Punjaub. This dis- 
trict, which was once British territory, passed by payment 



30 BISTOBT OF INDIA. 

to Gholab Singh upon the conclusion of the first Sikh 
war. Its capital is Sirinagur on the Jhelum; and among 
its other towns are Islamabad and Sainpre. 

Nepaul, an extensive principality, also in the Hima- 
layan region, is bounded northward by Thibet, and towards 
the south by Oude and other provinces of the Gan- 
getic plain; on the east it has Sikkim, and on the west 
Kumaon. The capital is Katmandoo, situated in a plain 
country surrounded by mountains, upon the line of com- 
munication between Hindustan and Thibet. Among its 
other towns are Lalita, Fatan, and Neacote. It is under 
a rajah, between whom and the British there exists a 
treaty of government. 

Sikkim is likewise in the Himalayas, and lies between 
Nepaul and Bhotan. The rajah of Sikkim, an ally of 
the English, is tributary and protected. 

The territory known as the Kuttack Mehals is situated 
in the province of Orissa. 

Tipperah is a trans-Gangetic district, situated among 
the mountains of that name. The province is entirely- 
independent. 

The French and Portuguese Possessions, which, terri- 
torially considered, are exceedingly unimportant, complete 
the area of the Indian peninsula. To the French belong 
Pondicherry, a considerable town on the Carnatic coast-, 
and the chief seat of French authority; Chandanagort^ 
on the Hooghley, about 16 miles from Calcutta; GaricaL\ 
on the Carnatic coast, towards the "feouth; Make, upon 
the coast of Malabar; and Y'anaon, on a branch of thu 
Godavery. These possessions — and especially the two 
former — have many times changed hands. They wer(3 
finally restored to French ownership at the peace of 1816. 

To the Portuguese belong the district of Goa, on the 
western coa^t of Canara; Damans a fortress near Surat ; 
and Diu, another fortress upon the south coast of the 
peninsula of Kattywar (Guzerat). 

TranquebaTf to the north of Carical, formerly belonged 
to the Danes, of whom it was purchased ia 1846 by th© 
British government. 



CHAPTER in. 

THE INHABITANTS OP INDIA. 

The Aryan Race — Their Appearance in Hindustan— Contrast 
between them and the Aborigines— Early Peopling of India 

The Aborigines— Early Condition of India — The Kings— 

The Government— Religion of Hindus— Sacred Writings— 
Brahm, the First Cause — The Hindu Trinity— Devotion 
among Hindus— Sects in India— Superstitious Practices- 
Caste— Its Reputed Origin— Strict Observance of its Duties 
— Buddhism — The Mohammedans— Religion of the ruder 
Tribes— The Sikhs— Parsees— Christianity in India. 

By far the greater portion of the inhabitants of India 
belong to that race whose many branches, bearing the 
generic name of Aryan, Caucasian, and Indo-European, 
have filled Europe, peopled a considerable portion of the 
areas of the continents of Asia, Africa, and America, and 
are fast superseding the aboriginal inhabitants of the 
Australian continent and the islands thereabouts. 

There are many reasons for supposing that the parti- 
cular branch of this mighty stock, whose teeming millions, 
under the name of Hindus or Hindoos, have peopled this 
Asiatic peniasula, were not the earliest occupants of its 
soil; but that, at so'jae very remote period, they descended 
at successive intervals from the highlands of Central Asia, 
bringing with them civilization and the sword, displacing 
the aboriginal dwellers, and furnishing the land with a 
new race and all its concomitants^a new language, a new 
religion, new manners and customs, and a new com- 
plexion of things in general 

Their arrival^ consequently, wrought a mighty change in 
the Indian peninsula — a change which, in its way, proved 
as advantageous to the land as the displacement of the 



S3 HIBTOBT OF INDIA. 

Red men of the Columbian Continent by tbe more civil- 
ised and enterprising types of tbe Old World. The 
physical qualities of the new comers were as far superior 
to the race they superseded as were those of the Hellenes 
to the "Children of the Black Earth." The exquisite 
beauty of their Sanskrit muse as greatly transcended that 
of the aborigines as do the rich and melodious Greek- 
Latin tongues the copious, but withal unharmonious, 
Teutonic. Their religion was, in its poetic fancies, as far 
exalted above their crude systems of worship as the 
sublime teachings of Christianity soar above the doctrines 
of the code of Menu; and the condition of their society 
was as much superior as was that of the Sabines and 
Etruscans to the rude followers of Romulus. 

To suppose, however, that the Aryans were the only 
invaders of Indian soil were to accredit the race with a 
monopoly of migratory and predatory habits. The accept- 
ance of such a theory is forbidden by the existence of 
Cushite and Turanian or Scythian remains, which are 
found more especially in the southern half of the penin- 
sula, where monuments that bear a close resemblance to 
the Druidical structures of Western Europe abound; 
while warlike implements and domestic utensils, corres- 
ponding with the antique remains of our own country, 
point to an unmistakable brotherhood. These various 
immigrations, however, occurred at a period anterior to 
the dawn of historic record; and to trace their progress 
is therefore impossible. In treating of the early popula- 
tion of Greece the great historian of that country bids us 
forego speculation, and contentedly accept the Hellenic 
aggregate as a primary fact from which to start; and in 
this spirit- it is that we must, perforce, contemplate the 
primitive population of India. 

In looking back, therefore, to primitive times we 
behold, as would be supposed, the land occupied by a 
scattered population of extremely rude habits, but withal 
one of the most ancient peoples of the earth. The tide 
of emigration progressing westward has already over- 
whelmed Greece and Italy; and now^ bearing southward. 



THE INHABITANTS OP INDIA. ^ 83 

Its irresistible tide passes the Indian Alps, breaks upon 
the Punjaub, and spreads itself over the plains of Hin- 
dustan proper. The advance, of successive waves force 
the earlier comers southwards, who, swarming over the 
Vindhya chain, cover in time the Deccan, the more south- 
em table-lands, and Ceylon. The ancient races, mean- 
while, retreat before it to the more inaccessible regions 
of its hills and forests, much after the manner inwhich 
BO many of the Celtic inhabitants of this island withdrew, 
before the onward pressure of the Saxon invaders, to the 
mountain fastnesses of the western part of our island. 

The process, we repeat, is shrouded in impenetr?ble 
darkness; and the veil will probably never be uplifted 
therefrom. Nevertheless, its operations are confirmed 
not le^s by analogy than by the present composition of 
the Indian people; for, while the blood of the Aryan stock 
remains in the great bulk of the inhabitants, the primi- 
tive, indigenous races are represented by certain alien 
tribes, whose condition is one of pristine rudeness. They 
are diminutive in stature, extremely dark, and have the 
high cheek-bones, small eyes, and flat noses characteristic 
of the Mongols; and thus they differ from the Hindus, 
who are tall and lithe, with handsome oval features, large 
eyes and eyebrows, and have a skin which, in the cooler 
regions, is not darker than that of the inhabitants of 
southern Europe. In all instances they preserve the 
practices of their ancestors, and cling with the most 
remarkable tenacity to their superstitions. They are 
foimd at the foot of the Himalayas, amid the unhealthy 
forests of the Terai; in the wooded country of the Ganges 
valley; further south in the region of Kuttack; in Cen- 
tral India; amid the Yindhya, Aravelli, and Satpura 
Mountains; further west in Guzerat; and in the table- 
lands of the Deccan and Mysore, and among the Neilgher- 
ries. Their various tribes, though differing in many 
respects, nevertheless preserve the general characteristica 
of kindred race, language, and habits. 

Among these aboriginal tribes may be mentioned the 
CknoDs, Lepchas, and Loshau, who dwell beneath the 



Si BI8T0BY OF INDIA. 

shadow of the Himalayas; the Korewahs and Koles — ^tho 
latter a comparatively docile race, who are found in Kut- 
tack and Western Bengal; the Santals who, in 1855, 
rose in rebellion against the British government; the 
Khonds, inhabiting the hill-country to the west of Orissa, 
whose name is associated with the barbarous practice oi 
kidnapping; the Bheels and Kholus, found in the hill- 
districts of the old Mahratta country; the robber-bands 
known as Waghems, living to the west of them; and 
many others. 

The condition of early Hindu society was that of an 
advanced civilization. Its government took the form of 
an absolute monarchy. The executive powers were in 
the hands of a being who was supposed to be endued with 
divine attributes, and exercised an authority against 
which there was no earthly appeal. His actions, how- 
ever, were limited in some degree by the influence of the 
Brahmins, the laws which bore the seal of divinity, and 
the usual dread of revolt. The Hindu sovereign appears, 
like all monarchs of primitive times, to have been com- 
mander-in-chief, diplomatist, chief magistrate, and mana- 
ger of the national finances. These duties he was at 
liberty to perform by deputy; and such deputy could 
further delegate his powers to a third. This method was 
frequently adopted. 

Further, he was supposed to be an example of industry, 
self-denial, self-restraint, and every other virtue under 
the sun. The succession was generally hereditary; but 
the sovereign appears to have had the privilege of choos- 
ing his successor. Kingship was, however, more often 
than otherwise confined to the family, and the worthiest 
member of it was usually chosen. 

His revenue was derived chiefly from the produce of 
the earth, of the mines, from certain imposts upon mer- 
chandise, and from other sources. The tax upon grain 
varied according to the character of the soil, and the 
amount of labour required for its cultivation. 

The internal administration of the country was in the 
handa of dvil oSao&n appointed by the kinjg, who were 



THE INHABITANTS OF INDIA* 85 

immediately responsible to a superintendent — a man of 
high rank and authority — one of whom resided in every 
large town or city. The land was, for convenience, 
divided into military districts, each under a duly appointed 
resident officer of tried qualifications. The rules of war- 
fare, as drawn up by the Brahmins, were exceedingly 
crude and impracticable, and quite unworthy of the high 
degree of civilization and general intelligence to which 
this people had attained. This much may, however, be 
said of them, that they enjoined a regard for humanity 
which would put to the blush the boasted-civilization and 
progress of the nineteenth century. Every means were 
adopted to mitigate the horrors of the battle-field, and to 
relieve a conquered people from the usual consequences 
of defeat. 

The vast majority of the Hindu people belong to the 
religion known as Brahaminism or Hinduism — ^its votaries 
numbering some 150 millions of souls. The doctrines of 
this ancient system of worship are set forth in the Vedas, 
the Shastras, Puranas, and other sacred books, whose 
possession and right of research belong exclusively to the 
Brahminical order. The Yedas — the Bible of the Hindus 
— are written -in the Sanskrit, a language held by the 
Hindus to belong exclusively to the gods. They are four 
in number, namely— the " Rig- Veda," the " Yugur-Yeda," 
the "Sama-Yeda," and the " Atharva-Yeda," of which the 
*' Big-Yeda " is the most ancient. They comprise a col- 
lection of sacred poems and prayers, with which legends, 
religious rites, philosophical reasoning, and moral teaching, 
are largely mingled. The sacred books, which are sup- 
posed to have been compiled so early as the fourteenth 
century before Christ, contain the earliest authentic 
record of the people who profess the creed it teaches. Its 
doctrines were considerably modified and improved six 
centuries later by the code of Menu, which affords the 
earliest complete picture of the state of Hindu society- 
It is a remarkable, yet well-authenticated truth, that 
nowhere in the universe is the phenomenon presented of 



S6 BTSTOBT OF nn>iA. 

a nation of Atheists. The same thirst afber divine know- 
ledge which led the Athenians of old to erect in their 
city an altar to the Unknown God has ever led the con- 
templative mind of man from nature up to nature's God; 
and hence it is that mankind in all ages, whether 
elevated by the influences of civilization or sunk in the 
depths of barbarism, will acknowledge the existence of 
a first and all-pervading cause. The South-Sea Islander 
beholds it in his deified ancestors, and the Red Indian in 
the Great Spirit. The ancient Greek adored it in the 
Helen ic Zeus, and pagan Rome in Jove his counterpart. 
The Hindu, possessing a theocracy of older date, speaks 
of an equally imaginative being; and, under the name of 
Brahm, its votaries adore him as the uncreated author 
of all 1;hings. 

Ere the era of creation had begun, this moving principle 
is represented as having been wholly quiescent, existing 
in a condition of unbroken sleep. After a numberless 
succession of ages this slumber is disturbed; and Brahm, 
heretofore a mere abstraction, begins to exhibit active 
qualities, and calls the universe into existence. The 
human mind, however, unequal to the grasp of the in- 
finite, must needs endow its ideal author with a tangible, 
comprehensive form, without which the energy necessary 
to the process of creation must be wanting. Accordingly, 
from the bosom of Brahm comes forth the Trimurti or 
Hindu Triad, consisting of Brahma, Yishnu, and Shiva. 
The first person of this trinity is regarded as the creator 
— not of the universe alone, but even of the two other 
persons of the trinity, who are supposed to have sprung 
from his essence. To this ofispring is entrusted the 
arrangement and government of th© universe; while 
Brahm himself relapses into his former condition of 
profound slumber and unconsciousness. 

The various attempts of finite man to unravel the 
secrets of the Eternal have at all times been fruitful of 
confusion; and various interpretations exist among the 
IFindus of the process of creation. The most widely- 
adopted theory is that of the Mundane Egg, occuiTing in 



«HE INHABITANTS OP INDIA. 37 

the Hindu Shastras. This egg, from whence the universe 
is alleged to have sprung, was created by Brahm, who, 
for its production, assumed the twofold form of a male 
and female. In this egg lay the germ of future worlds, 
together with the embryo of Brahm himself. After the 
lapse of countless ages, during which the wondrous first 
cause lay floating upon the dark waters of chaos, the 
supreme being therein inclosed burst the stupendous shell, 
and issued forth in the form of a monster with myriad 
heads and horns, ready to commence the mighty work of 
educing order from chaos. 

Such was Brahma, the first person of the Hindu 
trinity, the creator of the universe. The second person, 
Vishnu, is a personification of the process of preservation. 
He was long regarded as holding an inferior position to 
that of Brahma; but by-and-bye he attained a more 
exalted place; and the worshippers of this deity under 
the form of Krishna, his incarnation, now far outnumber 
the votaries of Brahma. Shiva, the third person of the 
Hindu Triad, is the tutelary god of the Brahmins. The 
worship of this deity is comparatively recent, not earlier 
than three centuries before the Christian era. In con- 
sequence of the counter influence of the Brahmins, it 
was long confined to the hill tribes; but the Brahmins 
in time having relaxed their opposition, Shiva -worship 
quickly spread through the plains; and that deity now 
shares with Vishnu the adoration of the greater portion 
of the Hindu people. 

The Hindus believe in the transmigration of souls; 
which process they regard as progressive to the end of 
time. The rewards and punishments of the next world 
are of three kinds, the highest of which is that of absorp. 
tion into the essence of Brahm, 

^ It is the desire of every devout Hindu to attain to a 
higher rank in the new existence. Hence the amazing 
display of devotion, and the minute pharisaical, and even 
ludicrous attention paid to form and ceremony so observ- 
ably among this people. " There is not a Hindu farmer, 
artizan, or even common labourer," says Colonel Meadows 



9$ "HIBTORT of INDIA. 

Taylor, " wlio does not possess houseliold gods, wlio does 
not worship them in his house, and thus purify himself 
before he or his famify can eat, or he goes to his daily 
labour, whatever it may be. During the day a devout 
Hindu will repeat the name of his tutelary divinity upon 
liis rosary; no one gets up, sits down, enters, or leaves a 
room, yawns, sneezes, or coughs, without invoking his 
protection. No Brahmin opens his book for study, no 
merchant or trader his day-book or ledger, no blacksmith, 
carpenter, weaver, or other artizan or lalDOurer, uses his 
tools without the same form. . . . Betrothals, mar- 
riages, birth of children, purification after child-birth, 
birthdays, performance of vows made on any special * 
occasion, sacrifices, oblations, penances, pilgrimages, cre- 
mations, or burials, and rites for the repose of the souls 
of relations — all, and many more events of life which it 
is needless to detail, involve the performance of religious 
ceremonies." 

The Hindu Pantheon presents a numberless array; and . 
the variety of sects in India are necessarily numerous. 
At the head of these deities stand the members of the 
Hindu Trimurti already mentioned, whose worshippers 
consequently far outnumber the votaries of the rest. Of 
these Brahma receives but little adoration, except from 
the Brahmins themselves, who at sunrise every morning 
repeat an incantation containing a description of the 
deity, and present him with a flower. Vishnu and Shiva, 
on the other hand, under the names of Krishna and 
Bama, have ever attracted, and continue to attract, the 
greatest amount of homage. 

Gross superstition follows upon the skirts of Hiaduism. 
Evil spirits, demons, and monsters of all kinds, whose 
avocation it is to afflict the world with every species ot 
evil, are believed to be everywhere present, and are pro- 
pitiated by sacrifice. The service rendered to these, how- 
ever, forms no part of the professed religion, and are 
supposed to be a remnant of the aboriginal worship. The 
existence of these superstitious practices is exhibited by 
the prevalence of horrid rites: some of which, as the pro- 



9HB INHABITANTS OF INDIA. 39 

cession of tlie car of Juggernaut, the practice of the 
suttee, infanticide, etc., have been recently abolished by 
the firm hand of the British government. 

Perhaps the most remarkable feature of Brahminism 
is an institution well-nigh peculiar to Hindustan, and 
known as caste. By this institution, which has the 
authority of the code of Menu, the Hindus were origin- 
ally divided into four distinct and separate orders. Fore- 
most among them were the priesthood, whose highest 
class are termed Brahmins. The next in order is that of 
the Kshattryas or military. Lower down in the social 
scale were the Vaishyas, who embraced the professions, 
as physicians, bankers, lawyers, merchants, and the higher 
degrees of those not engaged in handiwork of any kind; 
and lowest of all were the Soudras, including the lowest 
class of traders, husbandmen, artizans, and labourers. 

The obligations of caste are set forth, and its rules 
enforced by duly recognised potentates and their agents. 
Ets leading principle is that of thorough exclusiveness. 
Intermarriages are strictly forbidden — a breach of the 
rule being visited by the highest earthly punishment in 
the eyes of a Hindu — namely, degradation, or loss of 
caste. Such mesalliances have frequently taken place; 
and their occurrence has originated the multitudinous 
classes to be found in Hindu society. Nevertheless, the 
strict Hindu will regard the obligations of caste with 
much greater care and exactitude than the services of his 
religion even. Perhaps this may be accounted for by the 
summary visitation attending a breach of its rules. Be 
that as it may, the overseers of the concerns of caste are 
far more eflQ.cacious in upholding morality among the 
population than even the Brahminical teachers. 

Some centuries previous to the Christian era, another 
and a purer religion was introduced into India by Gotama 
Buddha, who, rejecting the teachings of the Vedas and 
kindred writings, taught the almost Christian truth of 
the equality of mankind in the sight of a Supreme Being. 
His teachings took deep root, and the creed flourished in 
India, till the jealousy of the Brahmins was aroused^ 



40 RISTOBT OF INDIA. 

whOf having gained the aid of the temporal powers, com- 
menced a persecution of its votaries. The struggle between 
the old and new faiths was long and severe; and, as in 
the days of imperial Kome, Christianity was by turns 
encouraged and discountenanced by the successors of 
Csesar, so Buddhism was, for seven or eight centuries 
after the Christian era patronised, neglected, and for- 
bidden by the kings of India. The enemies of the new 
faith ultimately triumphed, and it was in consequence 
suppressed. 

The Mohammedans form likewise a respectable portion 
of the Indian community, numbering some 15 millions. 
The establishment of this religion was the result of a 
succession of conquests which, beginning with the inva- 
sion of the renowned Mahmoud " was never turned back 
towards the setting sun till that memorable campaign in 
which the cross of St. George was planted on the walls of 
Ghuznee." The professors of the Mohammedan creed are 
the descendants of those Afghan, Persian, and Arab in- 
vaders whose warrior kings once lorded it over the 
greater portion of the peninsula. Proselytism was not, 
however, the practice of these Mussulman invaders; and 
the number of Hindu converts to their faith has thus 
been comparatively small. The Mohammedans are most 
numerous in Oude and the Deccan. There is but little sym- 
pathy between them and their Hindu fellow-countrymen. 

The supposed aboriginal tribes profess neither Brahm- 
inism. Buddhism, nor Mohammedanism. Thus, the 
Khonds, who are found in Orissa, worship an earth-god, 
whom they call Bura-Penu, and to him they offer, sacri- 
fices for the purpose of securing his blessing upon their 
agricultural operations. The rude tribes south of the 
Deccan exercise a system of demonolatry, into the prac- 
tice of which the most revolting and degrading rites are 
introduced. In addition to these are the Jains, a Hindu 
sect found scattered throughout the peninsula, and more 
especially in South Canara. They are supposed to be 
the successors of the Buddhists, whom ia many points 
they greatly resemble. 



vox INHABITANTS OF VXtOA, i\ 

The Sikhs, who inhabit the Punjaub and the territory 
lying to the east of the Sutlej, practise the religion of 
the i\3former Narrak, who flourished in the fifteenth cen- 
tury. The doctrines of the Brahminical books and of 
the K.-jran were alike abrogated by the creed which he 
taught. Caste was abjured^ Hinduism, and^ every sem- 
blance of superstition abandoned, the Brahmins ignored, 
and faith in the Supreme Being regarded as sufficient 
in itself to secure eternal bliss. 

The Parsees, found chiefly in Bombay, are the remnant 
of the ancient Persians who, in the middle of the seventh 
century, fled from the persecutions of the Mohammedans 
under Kaliph Omar, and found an asylum, first amid the 
fastnesses of Khorassin, and eventually in Hindustan. 
They profess the faith of Zoroaster or fire-worship, which 
is the ancient religion of Persia; and are the representa- 
tives of those who, when the wave of Islamism swept 
over the plains of Shiraz, chose rather to endure perse- 
cution and exile than abandon the religion of their 
fathers. The Parsees are generally engaged in mercan- 
tile pursuits, and their industry and enterprise have 
given them an importance which, numerically speaking, 
they do not possess. 

Christianity has been introduced of late years into the 
peninsula, and, through the exertions of the missionary 
societies, has made great progress. The country is divided 
into three dioceses, corresponding with the three great 
presidencies. The island of Ceylon forms a separate see, 
known as the diocese of Colombo. The number of the 
Christians in India is reckoned at soi3»<ithing less than a 
quarter of & million. 



■5^ 

CHAPTER IV. 

EARLY HISTORY. 

Characteristics of Early History — Of the Brahminical Stories- 
Comparison of the Theocracy of India with those of Greece 
and Scandinavia — Uses of Early Legend — Dawn of Commer- 
cial Intercourse — Invasion of India by Sesostris — By Semir- 
amis — Her Defeat by Strabobates — Conquest by Darius 
Hystaspes — by Alexander — Expedition of Nearchus — India 
after the Death of Alexander. 

The early history of India is involved in the obscurity 
surrounding the annals of every nation whose existence 
is traceable to that far-off era denominated pre-historic; 
when letters were as yet unknown; when tradition was 
of necessity the only channel whereby the transactions 
of one generation were transmitted to the people of 
another; and when an absurd and pompous mythology, 
added to extravagant legend, was made to supply the 
place of simple, historic narrative. 

It is with such-like materials that the chronicles of all 
ancient communities begin; and, could we place depend- 
ence upon such records, the early history of the Hindus 
would yield to none in copiousness of incident and fulness 
of detail. Unfortunately, however, for the cause of his- 
toric truth the Brahminical poems which affect 'to relate 
the transactions of early times teem with extravagant 
and unnatural occurrences. No attempt is ever made to 
establish a chronological sequence; and when chronology 
is at all employed, it is to impart to the lives of men a 
more than antediluvian longevity, and to transient events 
the duration of a cycle. 

Moreover, the actions of men and of the deities are 
absurdly mingled in the production of legends so irra- 
tional, and so utterly antagonistic to the human reason 
as to tax the patience and disgust the understanding. It 



SAKLT BISTOBY. 4S 

may be true that the myths of Greece and Scandinavia 
are not more trustworthy than the stories of the Hindu 
mythology. They possess, nevertheless, the advantage 
of being m6re in conformity with what is reasonable and 
natural, and far more delightful in the general purity of 
their conceptions; and as a consequence, they are more 
grateful to the tastes of the cultivated student. In short, 
one cannot contemplate their charming stories without 
coming to the conclusion that, however little dependence 
we may place upon them as exponents of historic fact, 
they are certainly no artfully woven fictions created for 
the purpose of imposing upon the credulity of mankind, 
but objects of genuine belief with those who published 
them ; while their Hindu counterparts, on the other hand, 
in their absurd extravagance, bear the unmistakable 
stamp of falsehood, such as has gained for their authors, 
from a great authority upon Indian mattera, the epithet 
of the most deliberate fabricators with whom the annals 
of fable have yet made us acquainted. 

This, then, being the character of these early Hindu 
chronicles, it would scarcely be prudent, considering the 
circumscribed space at our command, to give them the 
same prominence as historic fact. We cannot, however, 
pass them over without remarking, that these semi-sacred 
poems which passed for history, though extravagant in 
their scope, and utterly untrustworthy as records of actual 
transactions, are nevertheless of priceless value ; because 
they help to cast a light upon the condition of Hindu 
society in pre-historic times, such as we should never have 
obtained had their authors remained silent. " We can- 
not," says Mill, " describe the lives of their kings, or the 
circumstances and results of a train of battles. But we 
can show how they lived together as members of the 
community and of families ^ how they were arrayed in 
society} what arts they practised; what tenets they 
believed; what manners they displayed; under what 
species of government they existed; and what charaotei 
as human beings they possessed. This is by £» the most 
useful and important part of histoij." 



44 filStORY OF INDIA. [CHAP. lY. 

Although it is necessary to bear in mind the fact that 
DO date of a public event can be traced further back than 
the invasion of Alexander; and no consecutive chronicle 
of the national transactions till the Mohammedan con- 
quest of the country, it is difficult to believe that a nation 
claiming a civilization older than that of Greece or Egypt, 
should remain so long unknown to the inhabitants of the 
outer world. We may have nothing to substantiate it, 
but we may well suppose that the extensive and valuable 
productions of India were not hidden from the knowledge 
of contemporary nations. Providence in its wisdom has 
ordained that the treasures of His universe shall not 
remain for ever the monopoly of those whose privilege it 
is to be placed directly in their midst. There would 
indeed appear to be some undefinable principle which 
ever operates in spreading a knowledge of their existence 
to mankind, and no surer do the sweets of nature attract 
the winged plunderer, than do the riches of the earth 
invite the cupidity of the merchant, or excite the ambi- 
tion of the conqueror. 

There appears to be but little doubt that those early 
pioneers of commercial enterprise, the Phoenicians, carried 
on a lucrative trade with India by way of the Euphrates 
and Arabia Petrsea; and, if this be so, although no direct 
allusion is made to this country in the pages of Holy 
Writ, the Jews must have profited from Indian industry 
and ingenuity. The luxuries of Solomon's household were 
probably derived from this favoured region of the earth. 

The earliest recorded invasion of India is that of Sesos- 
tris the great Egyptian conqueror. This monarch, the 
self-styled king of kings, is said to have fitted out a fleet 
of four hundred vessels in the Arabian Gulf, with which 
he subdued all the lands along the Erythrian Sea to India, 
which country he then overran as far as the Ganges. No 
trsuces of this conquest, however, exist; and no authentic 
record details the progress of his victorious march, so that 
Qie occurrence is an extremely doubtful one. A more 
probable event — though perhaps not mora trustworthy 
m poiiit of detail— is the invasion of the country by th» 



B.a 9ia] BARLT HISTOBT. 45 

Assyrian Queen Semiramis. We learn from the Mstorfan, 
Diodorus, who writes mainly upon the authority of 
Ctesias, that this celebrated sovereign, after having car- 
ried her arms victoriously over Media, Persia, Egypt, and 
Ethiopia, was induced, by the reports which reached her 
concerning the wealth and natural resources of the land, 
to bring it also within the compass of her vast empire. 
The account of her expedition reads like a romance. 
, Two great obstacles appear to have stood in the way of 
her advance, namely — the broad and rapid current of the 
Indus, and the employment of elephants by the natives. 
The first difficulty was met by the construction of vessels 
suited to the necessities of the occasion; the second by 
employing sham elephants of ox-hides in which men and 
camels were placed. An army of a million of fighting- 
men, with the necessary supplies, was collected, and 
marched to the bank of the great river. Upon the oppo- 
site side the Indian king, Strabobates, had posted himself 
with an equally formidable host to oppose her advance. 
In mid-stream the combatants met. The rudely-con- 
structed boats of the Indian commander were no match 
for the more substantial craft of Semiramis, with whom, 
therefore, after a gallant struggle, the victory remained. 
Her immense host now crossed into the enemy's country, 
and a battle began in which the tide of fortune was 
turned in favour of the Indian monarch, who, by means 
of his elephants, overthrew his adversary with great 
slaughter. Semiramis fled with an army diminished to one- 
fourth its original force; and neither she nor any of her 
successors again attempted an expedition in this direction. 
The next undertaking of the kind on record was that 
of Scylax of Caryandra in the employ of Darius Hystas- 
pes, monarch of Persia, and the most distinguished naval 
commander of the age. This expedition, although par- 
taking rather the character of an exploration than a con- 
quest, was, nevertheless, the prelude to the subjugation 
of the country, and its reduction to the condition of a 
satrapy of the Persian empire. Although the account 
of the expedition, as given by Herodotus, u extremely 



4$ HISTORY OF INDIA, [cHAP. IT, 

meagre, we contemplate it witli greater interest and satis- 
faction; inasmuch as, for tlie first time, we feel we are 
treading upon the solid ground of historic narrative. 

According to the great father of history, Scylax sailed 
from Caspatyrus, near the source of the Indus, down the 
river; and then, turning westward, after an absence of 
two or three years, arrived in Egypt. The expedition of 
conquest followed; and that Darius achieved his end is 
evident from the words of the historian; who, however, 
while stating the result, gives no details of the con- 
queror's progress. It does not appear that the territory 
thus acquired extended far beyond the basin of the Indus; 
yet, small as it may have been, it was one of the most im- 
portant of the Persian satrapies ; inasmuch as, by reason 
of its wonderful resources, Darius was able to extract from 
it a far heavier tribute than that which passed into the 
Persian treasury from any other portion of his dominions. 
It is uncertain how long the territory, known by the 
ancients as India, remained under the dominion of the 
Persians; but, in the year 330 B.C., Alexander the Great 
overran and subdued the Persian empire, led his armies 
southwards with a view to the conquest of India, which 
country he affected to consider a dependency of Persia. 
With some difficulty he crossed the Himalayas; and, 
being joined by Taxiles an Indian chieftain, advanced to 
the Hydaspes. Here he was met by Porus, who man- 
fully disputed his passage of the river. The bravery of 
his soldiers, however, was no match for the skill of Alex- 
ander. The stream was crossed, Porus was defeated and 
taken prisoner, and the victor pressed forward unopposed 
to the Hyphasis (Sutlej). This stream was the limit of 
his progress; for, alarmed at the desert character of the 
country beyond, the troops mutinied and refused to 
advance. Alexander, grievously disappointed, resolved 
on leading his forces back to Babylon; but, impelled 
either by curiosity, or by a genuine desire to augment his 
geographical knowledge, he determined to explore the 
Indus. Hence he dispatched Nearchus, his naval com- 
mander, for that purpose. The researches of Nearchus, 



&a O18<60.] EARLY HISTOBT. 47 

unsatisfactory as they were, redeemed this expedilipn of 
Alexander's from the epithet of fruitless; for they added 
considerably to the geographical knowledge of the times; 
and, by means of them, we have been made acquainted 
with the interesting fact that the condition of Hindu 
society in these early days was precisely the same as when 
intercourse with the west first began. 

The history of the country after the retreat of Alex- 
ander is obscure, perplexing, and of little interest. The 
records, very scanty in themselves, and untrustworthy in 
the highest degree, affect to give a copious and detailed 
chronicle of a number of dynasties which severally ruled in 
divers parts of the peninsula. The successor of Alexander 
in his eastern dominions, Seleucus, appears to have retained 
a hold upon the country; indeed, Plutarch and Pliny assert 
that the area of India owning his sway was greater than 
that ruled by his great predecessor. His ambassador to 
the Indian prince's capital, Megasthenes, gives a report of 
his observations in the country; but his accounts are so 
largely mingled with fable that they are of little value. 

A blank, therefore, occurs in the history of the country 
between the period of this embassy and the reign of 
Antiochus the Great. We know, however, but little of 
this monarch's connection with India; and it is probable 
that the dominions shortly after passed out of Syrian 
hands. The kingdom of Bactria, having thrown off the 
yoke of the Greeks seventy years after the death of the 
Macedonian conqueror, kept up an intercourse with 
India; but it appears to have been of a commercial kind. 
The Scythian hordes who overran Bactria in the year 
126 B.C. took possession of the greater part of the north- 
western provinces of the peninsula. They retained pos- 
session tni 66 B.C., when they were driven out by Vier- 
amaditya. After the break-up of the Macedonian empire 
we hear of no European attempt at domination here. 
The only object of western nations henceforth was to 
obtain a share of the benefits accruing from commercial 
intercourse with so rich a country. "We therefore pass 
on to the era of Mohammedan conquest 



CHAPTER V, 

THB MOHAMMEDAN CONQUEST. 

First Mohammedan Invasion of India — Sultan Malimond's Cam- 
paigns — The Ghuznevy Dynasty Established — The Gaurian 
Dynasty — The Patan Sovereigns — The Slave-kings — The 
Khilghees — TheToghlucks — TheMoguls— Tamerlane — Baber 
— Hoomayoon — Akbar — Shah Jehangier — Sir Thomas Roe 
Ambassador at the Delhi Court — Shah Jehan — Aurungzebe 
—State of the Empire under him — Shah AUum — Nizam-ul- 
Mulk — Nadir Shah's Invasion — Collapse ol the Mogul 
EmpirOi 

In the year 1001, Mahmoud, the Mohaminedan snifcan 
of Ghuznee set out from his capital, entered India by 
way of the Punjaub, defeated the forces of the Hindus 
under the rajah of Lahore; and, making himself master 
of the Punjaub, placed it under tribute. He had no 
sooner turned his back upon his newly acquired dominion 
than his Hindu subjects revolted, and 'refused to pay the 
tribute he had imposed. At one time, indeed, it appeared 
as though it would have slipped from his grasp; for his 
Hindu opponents, conscious that they were struggling 
not less for their religion than for national liberty, fought 
with a determination which augured well for the success 
of their efforts. In the fight of Peshawar, however, 
(1009), the Hindus and their confederates the Goorkas, 
a tribe inhabiting the hills that bound the Punjaub 
towards the north-west, were defeated with great slaugh- 
ter. After this victory Mahmoud was enabled to retire 
once more to Ghuznee. He carried with him an immense 
spoil, and captives innumerable. 

The transactions of Mahmoud with India may be re- 
garded rather in the light of a series of successful inva> 



▲.D. 1001-1205.] HOHAMMEDAN CONQUEST. 49 

fiions than the permanent acquisition of territory. Indeed, 
he appears rather in the light of a religious zealot than 
a warrior bent on conquest for conquest's own sake. 
Twelve different raids upon the country are recorded of 
Sultan Mahmoud, each of which was marked by the 
wholesale demolition of native temples, the ruthless dese- 
cration of most sacred things, and the confiscation of the 
treasures collected in the holy cities. Such a policy, 
while it has marred the character of an otherwise gene- 
rous prince, was unfortunately destined to bring forth 
more bitter fruits than the military triumphs of the most 
arrogant of conquerors led on by mere ambition; inas- 
much as it engendered such a hatred of the Moham- 
medan as the lapse of centuries has failed to eradicate. 

Mahmoud died in the year 1028, leaving a dominion 

which stretched from Ispahan eastward to the Ganges 

an extensive territory; but, excepting the Indian portion" 
of it, thinly peopled, and altogether, from the diversity 
of its elements, difficult to handle. He therefore left to 
his successors a troublesome heritage; and the Ghuznevy 
dynasty, as it is termed, which ended in 1186, with 
Sultan Kusru Mulik, presents a series of revolt, sedition, 
intrigue, assassination, and violence which is scarcely 
surpassed in the annals of any other people. The Hindus 
during this period made but one serious effort to rid 
themselves of their oppressors; but, being defeated by 
Sultan Modud before the walls of Lahore, the seat of 
government in this quarter, they were constrained to 
remain in quiet subjection to their Mohammedan con- 
querors. 

The Ghuznevy dynasty was deposed by an Afghan 
named Mohammed Gaury, who invaded the Punjaub and 
took Lahore and Benares, and reduced Ajmere and the 
country south of the Jumna. Finally, having dethroned 
the unfortunate Kusru, he proclaimed himself sultan at 
Ghuznee. Mohammed Gaury did more to prepare for 
the establishment of Moslem dominion in. India than any 
other of her conquerors. 

Ill 1305^ Mohammed Gaury fell by the daggers of 

P 



50 BisTO&Y OF iin>iA. [chap. t. 

Goorka assMi^B. The founder of the Ganrlaa dynasty, 
he may be considered also the last sovereign of the race; 
for, although the succession was for a time continued in 
his family, all real authority in India ceased with hia 
death, and his virtual successor was his viceroy. 

In Kuttub-ud-Deen, therefore, a new dynasty, known 
as the Patau, may be said to have begim. The first ten 
sovereigns of the race are called the Delhian slave-kings, 
from the fact that the first, Kuttub, was originally a slave 
in the house of Mohammed Gaury. Altumish, the suc- 
cessor of Kuttub, had like^t'ise been a slave. He proved 
to be a good and able prince; and he greatly extended 
the territory of his predecessors. While Kuttub and 
Altumish were the greatest of these slave -kings, the 
most remarkable was the Sultana Begum Ruzeea, as 
standing alone among Mohammedans as a reigning queen. 
The most exemplary was Nasir-ud-Deen, or Mohammed 
the Second; and the most worthless, Keikobad. 

With Keikobad the slave dynasty of Delhi ceased. 
It was followed by that of the Kliilghees, a race of war- 
like chiefbians, who, settling in the mountains of the 
Punjaub, had, by their military genius, raised themselves 
into importance under the Gaurian sovereigns. Julal-ud- 
Deen was the first and best of the race, and Alla-ud-Deen 
the greatest, though the most wayward and overbearing. 
The genius of this able monarch was serviceable in check- 
ing the invasions of the Mongol Tartars, who, in the 
thirteenth century, under their great chieftain Zenghis 
Khan, had ravaged the continent from the Pacific to the 
Danube, and now appeared in great force upon the soil of 
India. Mubarick, a profligate of the cast of the Roman, 
Nero, was the last of the Khilghee race. 

The short-lived dynasty of the Toghlucks followed 
(1321). It was founded by Ghazy Beg Toghluck, a good 
man and an able monarch. Under the Toghluck dynasty 
the Mohammedan dominion of India attained a high 
degree of splendour. It embraced all northern India, 
from the Suliman Mountains to the Hooghley, and from 
th« Himalayaa to the Yindhya Hills, with the ezcep- 



1205-1526.] THE MOHAMMEDAN CONQUEST, 51 

tion of Rajpootana, which was merely tributary. This 
dominion was possessed of an organised system of govern- 
ment which, considering the numerous changes that had 
taken place in the matter of its rulers, the difficulties 
they had to combat, and the dangers they were called 
upon to meet, speaks well for the eneigy and ability of 
its sultans as a whole. 

The dynasty which had supplanted that of the Khil- 
ghees was now destined to fall before the resistless onsets 
of the Moguls. Taking advantage of the disorders which 
followed at Delhi upon the death of Homayoon, Timour, 
or Tamerlane, a successor of Zenghis Khan, having over- 
run the Turkish Empire and Persia without the slightest 
pretext beyond that which success had given him, set 
out in 1397 from Samarcand, his capital, and arrived in 
due time in the Punjaub, defeated Sultan Mahmoud, and 
took possession of Delhi. Tamerlane did not tarry long 
at Delhi, as employment was provided him elsewhere; 
for, recrossing the Indus, he hastened upon his famous 
expedition against the Ottoman ruler Bajazet. During 
his absence, however, his lieutenant for a time upheld 
his authority, though with difficulty; but the empire, so 
compact under the Toghlucks, was fast approaching total 
dismemberment — a process which the invasion of Tamer- 
lane served rather to accelerate than otherwise. 

After the death of Tamerlane his vast dominions col- 
lapsed; and the affiiirs of India fell, as did the rest of his 
possessions, into sad confusion. The governors of pro- 
vinces began to assert their independence; and the splen- 
did empire founded by Sultan Mahmoud, and developed 
by the genius of subsequent sovereigns, broke into frag- 
ments. Fortunately, a master hand was near with the 
ability to collect its atoms, and administer that welding 
process which alone could restore the empire to its former 
grandeur and importance. 

This was none other than the illustrious Baber, a lineal 
descendant of the Tartar conqueror, and in every way 
one of the most remarkable men of the age. To trace 
the vicissitudes of his romantio eaaceeiv were mmecessaxy 



52 BIST9AT OF INDIA. [OBAK T. 

and out of place. Suffice it to say that this bold and 
able man, after firmly establishing himself upon the 
throne of his ancestors in Transoxiana, carried his arms 
into India, and, in the year 1526, seized the throne of 
Delhi. He met here with no little oppositioa &:om the 
Indian inhabitants, and especially from the Ivajpoots. 
They were, however, one by one overcome in a series of 
the most brilliant campaigns on record; and when at 
length this powerful monarch paid the debt of nature, he 
left to Hoomayoon, his son, a majestic though a some- 
what troublesome heritage. 

Hoomayoon proved a worthy son of a worthy sire, 
though his tastes were rather those of the student than 
the military leader; and, had he been permitted to follow 
his own bent, the empire might have been at peace. 
This, though, was not to be. A formidable insurrection 
was organised against his rule; and for a while he was 
forced to seek safety in exile. Meanwhile, his successful 
antagonist. Sheer Shah Soor, mounted the throne, and 
founded another Afghan dynasty. It fell after an exist- 
ence of fifteen years; and Hoomayoon again obtained 
possession of the throne from which he had been driven. 
This second reign of Hoomayoon was but a short one, as 
an accident put an end to his career. 

Fortunately for the sway of the Moguls, a vigorous 
successor was at hand in his youthful son Akbar. Not- 
withstanding the exertions of Baber and Hoomayoon the 
empire was still in an unsettled condition; and Akbar 
was thus surrounded by dangers of no mean order, Re- 
bellion followed rebellion in rapid sequence; while the 
depredations of invaders taxed his utmost resources. Pie, 
however, proved himself equal to every emergency; and 
when, after a long reign of fifty years, he died (1606), he 
left an empire greatly extended, if not consolidated. His 
son, Shah Jehangier, succeeded him. The reign of this 
sovereign, like that of his sire, was full of revolt. It is 
otherwise remarkable from the fact that the first English 
ambassador to the East was accredited to his court. He 
was sent in the inte^rests of commerce. Sir Thomaa Boe 



1526.1717.] THE MOfiAMMEDAlT COifQUfiSf, 53 

was the envoy selected. During a three years* sojourn 
here he lived on terms of the closest intimacy with the 
Mogul; and he was by this circumstance enabled to 
make such a minute observation of things, as an indi- 
vidual otheir-wise situated could never have done. His 
account of the Mogul court speaks of a splendour and 
magnificence beyond conception. 

Shah Jehan, his son and successor, was a worthy repre- 
sentative of his grandfather Akbar. He pushed the 
conquests of his illustrious ancestor southwards, warred 
successfully with the Portuguese, who by this time pos- 
sessed settlements upon the- coasts, and drove them from 
the Hooghley. Shah Jehan, was deposed, 1 660, by his son 
Aurungzebe, wha, with his uncles Morud and Dara, had 
troubled the latter years of his reign by their turbulence. 
This was a fate he in justice merited, inasmuch as he 
himself had wrested the throne from his father — ^an act 
which the splendour of his reign and the wisdom of his 
administration could not condone. Although a usurper, 
Aurungzebe was no parricide. He treated his progenitor 
with great consideration and tenderness till his death, 
which occui-red six years afterwards. 

The Mogul sceptre was now in able hands. Indeed, 
in Aurungzebe, it may be said to have attained the 
summit of its power and magnificence; for, at his death 
in 1717, he had so far widened the area of former con- 
quests, that the influence of the Mogul emperors was felt 
from the Himalayas to Cape Comorin. The most trouble- 
some portion was the hill-country of Malwar, Kandeish, 
and Berar. Here dwelt that hardy race known as the 
Mahrattas, who, under a chief named Sivajee, proved 
such formidable adversaries that, although often defeated 
in battle, so far from being subdued, they seemed to re- 
ceive fresh vigour from defeat; and these sturdy opponents 
of Aurungzebe and his dynasty remained a power in the 
Indian peninsula when the dominion of the Moguls was 
but a shadow and a mockery. In addition to the Mah- 
rattas,- the Rajpoots and the Jats proved likewise trouble 
some neighbourife 



64 HISTORY OF INDIA. [cHAP. V, 

The death of Auriingzebe heralded an era of complete 
confusion. He left several sons, between whom a deadly- 
conflict was carried on for the honour of succession. One 
of these, Muazzim, having overcome and slain his brother 
Azim, in a decisive action near Agra, ascended the throne; 
and, under the title of Bahadur Shah, or Shah Allum, 
enjoyed a short but vigorous reign of five years — ^his chief 
exploit being the prosecution of successful campaigns 
against the Sikhs. A stormy period followed, during 
which several of the race of Aurungzebe succeeded, and 
wielded the sceptre for a brief space indeed, and that 
subject to the dictation of two prophet brothers, Hussein 
and Abdallah. In the year 1719, Mahommed Shah, a 
grandson of Bahadur was placed by them upon the 
throne. It was during his reign that Nizam-ul-Mulk, 
viceroy of the Deccan, among other governors of the 
Mogul dominions, taking advantage of the feeble condi- 
tion of the government, asserted his independence of the 
court of Delhi. He was assisted by the famous Nadir 
Shah (known also as Thamus Kuli Khan), king of Pei-sia, 
who, bent on his own rather than the Nizam's aggrandise- 
ment, seized and plundered Delhi, and made himself 
master of the provinces west cf the Indus. Nizam-ul- 
Mulk, however, became independent; and his name la 
one of the most conspicuous, if not among the greatest, 
in the history of the Mogul period. 

The representatives of Tamerlane still continued to 
reign in Delhi; but their authority was henceforth of a 
very nominal kind. The Deccan was, as has been said, 
in the hands of Nizam-ul-Mulk. The Punjaub, overrun 
by the Sikhs, and Scinde by the Belochees, were virtually 
severed from the Mogul dominions. Further on, the 
country was incorporated in the Persian province of 
Candahar. The Kohillas seized another portion of the . 
empire, and formed an independent kingdom within a 
few days' march of Delhi itself. The Mahrattas, as we 
have seen — never subdued, and now exercising undisputed 
possession of the whole of Central Indian—could, with 
greater ease than eVer^ defy dictation from the Mogu] 



1717-1748.) THE MOHAMMEDAN CONQUESl^ M 

capital; while the more distant provinces, fis Bengal and 
the OarnatiCi ceasing to regard the mandates of the 
emperor, set up nabobs or rajahs of their own at pleasure. 
The reign of Ahmed Shah, the son of Mohammed, may 
be said to have virtually put an end to the authority of 
the court of Delhi; and thus the once powerful Mogul 
emperors, whose dominions had in times gone by reached 
from the Himalayas to the extreme south of the peninsula, 
was now represented by a few miles of tflrritcny aroimd 
DelhL 



OHABTER VL 

SABLT INTERCOURSE OP EUROPEAN NATIONS WITH INDIA. 

European IntercoTirse •with India — ^Early Maritime Expeditions 
— The Portuguese — ^Diego Cam — Emanuel — Alvarez Cabral 
— Alphonse Albuquerque— The Dutch— The English Ex- 
plorers — Lancaster's Expedition — Establishment of the East 
India Company^— Factory at Surat — Similar Establishments 
at other Places — Action of Aurungzebe — The new Englis>i 
Policy, 

The great Mogul empire, then, had collapsed^ but upon 
its ruins an empire was about to arise stronger, happier, 
and destined to be more enduring, namely — ^the mighty 
dominion of British India. It will be well, therefore, at 
this stage to pause for the purpose of tracing British con- 
nection with the country from its beginning. 

European intercourse with India is, beyond all ques- 
tion, of great antiquity. From time immemorial the 
products of this wealthy portion of the earth had found 
their way westward into Europe; and the increased know- 
ledge gained concerning the resources of the country from 
the Macedonian expedition assisted materially in develop- 
ing commercial entei-prise in this quarter. That appetite 
of the Romans for every kind of luxury which furnished 
themes for the eloquence of Cato, created a rare demand for 
the products of the East; and it is mainly to this cause 
that the princely cities of the Middle Ages, as Genoa and 
Venice, owed their wealth and importance. 

Hitherto the commodities of the East had been to a 
great extent carried overland; and Egypt, Arabia, and 
Syria, with the Bed Sea and the Euphrates river, were 
the main channels for their transit. A new era was 
about to open, and the complexion of mercantile ooncerna 



1892-1662.] Et7tlOPEAN INTEHCOUBSE Wltfi I|n>Il. 5? 

was destined to undergo a total change. The passion for 
maritime adventure which appears to have possessed the 
soul of the fifteenth century led to the discovery of new 
regions and ocean tracks. The Spaniards led the way; 
and, by-and-bye, their discoveries beyond the Atlantic may 
be said to have initiated that course of ocean exploration 
so promptly followed, first by their neighbours the Portu- 
guese, and then by the Dutch and English. 

The Portuguese were the first of the nations of western 
Europe to open intercourse with India. To reach this 
favoured quarter had been the endeavour of this little 
nation ever since they had possessed a navy; and the 
success which attended their exertions in this direction 
was no more than a meet reward for their perseverance 
and enterprise. Long before Columbus had trod the deck 
of a vessel, her kings had despatched exploring expeditions 
to Africa with the view of reaching the much-desired 
goal; and, ere the great Florentine navigator had esta- 
blished his immortal reputation by discovering the 
hitherto unknown land of the West, the Portuguese 
mariner, Bartholomew Diaz, had rounded the Cape of 
Good Hope, and thereby struck out a path by which 
eastern produce was in future to find its way into Europe, 
It was reserved for Vasco de Gama, a mariner in the 
employ of Emanuel, to utilise the discovery of Diaz. He 
reached India in 1598, landed on the Malabar coast, and 
obtained an audience of the Zamorin of Calicut; but, 
through the jealousy of his Mussulmen, he was unable 
to secure the advantages for which he had sought the 
monarch's' presence. 

Vasco therefore returned to Lisbon; and another expe- 
dition was shortly after fitted out, which carried with it 
the papal benediction. The command was given to Al- 
varez Cabral, who, as his predecessor had done, made for 
Calicut. After much negotiation, a trading-factory was 
established here, which, however, through the intrigues 
of the Mohammedans, was subsequently destroyed, and 
its Portuguese garrison put to the sword. After taking 
some ret^iatory measures, Cabral returned to Portu^^al. 



08 BI8T0BT or INDIA. r<^AP. TI. 

Other and more fortunate expeditions of the kind fol- 
lowed those of Vasco and Alvarez; and in such manner 
was the development of western European intercourse 
with India gradually effected. 

In these expeditions, then, the name of De Grama 
stands pre-eminent among the pioneers of commercial 
dealings with this part of the world; but to Alphonso 
Albuquerque belongs the honour of having established 
Portuguese influence 5n a stable basis. Fixing upon 
Goa as a viceregal residence, he declared it the capital of 
the Portuguese dominions in India; and from thence 
gave laws to the whole Malabar coast, commanded the 
entire Indian seas, and forced the very cities that once 
had monopolised the Indian trade in Europe to seek 
eastern commodities in Lisbon. It is painful to leam 
that the exertions of this great man should have been 
rewarded with the basest ingratitude at the hands of 
those for whom he had done so much; for, after having 
made his nation masters of the Indian seas, he was 
recalled, and a personal enemy sent to fill his place. 
Portuguese dominion may be said to have attained its 
climax during his ministration. A few unimportant 
places were added by his successors; and their fleets, 
stronger than those of other nations, enabled them to 
maintain a decided superiority upon the ocean. They were 
not quite so fortunate on land; and they were shortly to 
be outdistanced in the race for superiority by other 
European states. 

First the Dutch, and then the English began to ques- 
tion their title to a monopoly of the commerce of these 
parts. The Portuguese at this time claimed dominion 
over Eastern waters from the Cape of Good Hope as far 
as China; and this comprehended a line of coast some 
thousands of miles in extent. Such a line they might 
maintain against the fleets of the nations in whose terri- 
tories their several factories stood; but a hopeless task 
was theirs when European seamanship was thrown into 
the balance against theuL A long and bitter conflict in 
time occurred between them and &e Dutch. First thsj 



1502-1536.] EUBOPSAN INT&BCOtJBSE WITH IKDIA. 59 

were deprived of the spice trade of Sumatra and Java; 
and then, in endeavouring to recover it, they met with so 
dispiriting a check in a sea-fight off the Cape de Verde 
Islands that they were induced to try another method. 
Accordingly they essayed to cripple their trade; and to 
this end they gave encouragement to piracy. Neverthe- 
less, the more energetic character of their adversaries 
prevailed; and the supremacy of the Dutch in the Indian 
seas was soon beyond question established. 

In 1605, the Dutch formed a settlement in Ceylon; 
and, after a long and bloody struggle, expelled their 
j:ivals from the island. Subsequently, Malacca fell into 
their hands; and gradually the Portuguese, once so 
powerful in this quarter of the world, sank into compara- 
tive insignificance — their possessions being represented 
by a few factories on the coast of Hindustan. 

Meanwhile, English influence had been fast gaining 
ground. The expeditions of the illustrious navigators of 
the Tudor age, the Cabots, Willoughby, Chancellor, Hud- 
son, Drake, Erobisher, and others, had raised our country 
to an honcurable position among the maritime nations of 
the times; and though the exploits of these mariners had 
no connection with India itself, India was their great 
aim; and their exertions indirectly led to that intercourse 
•with the country which was destined by-and-bye to 
produce such magnificent results. 

The earliest efforts of our mariners were directed to 
the discovery of an Arctic passage. Such was the aim 
of the expeditions of Willoughby, Davis, and Hudson; 
and when the discoveries attending these enterprises had 
served to convince the community that no such channel 
was practicable, attention was drawn to the route of 
Magellan, and Sir Francis Drake's celebrated voyage 
of discovery (1577), and that of Cavendish in 1586, were 
undertaken as a consequence. Such expeditions greatly 
enhanced our knowledge of these parts; and the desire 
to trade with them became a stronger passion with pur 
countrymen than ever. No attempt had as yet been 
made to round the Cape of Good Hope eastwards; for, 



60 mSTORT OF INDtA. [OflAP, TL 

aooording to the custom of nations in tibese limes, tlie 
Portuguese, as the discoverers, claimed exclusive right of 
navigating this route. 

The first English attempt to reach India by way of the 
Cape was that of Captain Lancaster in 1592. Although, 
however, that feat was successfully accomplished, and 
Lancaster got as far eastward as Malacca, the expedition 
met with little ultimate success; and this failure served 
to damp the ardour of the nation for a time; while the 
Dutch, having established their supremacy over the Por- 
tuguese, were left to pursue, under the leadership of the 
celebrated Houtmann, an uninterrupted commercial policy 
in Indian waters. 

The earliest trading expeditions to the East were indi- 
vidual and private enterprises; and it is to this circum- 
stance, no doubt, that they so frequently ended in failure. 
The necessity for collective effort, however, soon became 
apparent; and, following the example of the Dutch, the 
English merchants resolved to combine. By this means 
only could an adequate number of vessels, with necessary 
supplies, be provided. Queen Elizabeth patronised their 
earliest association, and despatched in their behalf an 
ambassador to the court of the Mogul. In 1600, this 
association merged into a chartered company of a larger 
scope, wich took the title of " The Company of Merchants 
trading to the East Indies." We here behold the germ 
of the most princely and powerful association ever esta- 
blished in this or any other country — ^namely, the famous 
East India Company. 

The earlier enterprises were placed under Lancaster, 
whose talent, as displayed in the conduct of his ill-fated 
expedition, had won him confidence. His object was to 
reach the Indian Archipelago; and, having gained the 
coast of Sumatra, he brought thence a cargo of spices, a 
commodity at that time in gi-eat demand. The profits 
accruing from this Eastern trade were so enormous that 
the company, by-and-bye, sought to extend their opera- 
tions; and, having obtained a new charter from James I. 
(1609), they sent out. expeditions strong enough to 



1501.] EUROPEAN INTERCOUESB WITH UI9LL 61 

encounter the opposition whicli the Dutch and Portu- 
guese, in their jealousy, had been wont to offer. 

Notwithstanding the exertions of Sir Heniy Middle- 
ton, to whom the newly -organised Company entrusted 
their first expedition (1610), it was three years ere any 
material advance was made. It was then that the first 
permanent factory was established, by permission of the 
Mogul, at Surat, on the Indian coast; and, for the fur- 
therance of English interests, James despatched Si* 
Thomas Roe as ambassador to the Mogul court. Forts 
and colonies were likewise planted in Java and the 
Moluccas; not without considerable opposition, however, 
from the Dutch, who, after many and unwearied attempts 
to make the English name odious to the natives, at 
length managed to cover themselves with eternal dis- 
grace by a cold-blooded massacre of English residents at 
Amboyna. 

In order to put an end to the differences arising from 
these commercial jealousies, various treaties had been 
entered into between the two rival nations, but with 
little result. Frequent disputes were still the order of 
the day; and eventually English trade with the islands 
was all but abandoned to the Dutch. This was, of course, 
humiliatmg; but the Dutch had at this time shown 
themselves in European waters a fair match for our coun- 
trymen ; and, having had the advantage of a good start 
in the Indian seas, there is little wonder they were able 
to hold their own, and finally to acquire preponderance 
there. Nevertheless, the Company's Indian -trade gained 
by the circumstance, and Surat now rose into greater 
importance. In 1662, the company acquired Bombay, 
the dower of Charles the Second's Portuguese bride, from 
the crown; and, harassed at Surat by the exactions of 
the Moguls and the depredations of the Mahrattas, the 
presidency was removed to this new and superior station. 

Meantime, settlements had been made upon the oppo- 
site coast at Madras, Fort St. David, Masulipatam, Viza 
gapatam,at Hooghley, and Calcutta. The arrogance of ou 
couutiymeop at oue time, placed En|;li8h i&terest in cqq 



63 HISTORY OP INDIA. [CHAP. TL 

■iderable jeopardy j for the great Auningzel)0, enraged at 
the seizure of some pilgrim ships, ordered the English to 
be expelled from India. The Company was stripped of 
its principal factories; and it was only by tendering a 
humble apology, with promises of good behaviour, that 
these stations, together with their former privileges, were 
restored. Not that even now the Company had all its 
own way. Kival associations at home, the unwearied 
enmity of the Dutch, Portuguese, and French, who also 
possessed settlements upon the Indian coasts, and the 
anger and mistrust of native princes, gave its servants 
ample employment; and it was with great difficulty that 
they succeeded in maintaining a position in this penin- 
sula. 

That position, however, was maintained. From the 
time of the restoration of the Mogul's firman, the com- 
pany began to aspire to unrestrained authority; and, for 
the first time, perhaps, the idea of territorial acquisition 
became a part of their policy. The disturbed condition of 
the empire, which followed upon the death of Aurungzebe, 
rendered a fortification of the settlements an absolute 
necessity; and thus these spots, which had been originally 
selected for trading purposes merely, became in time 
military stations likewise, whence British arms issued to 
spread the Company's influence over th^ peninsula. The 
process of development will appear as the liistoij pro- 



CHAPTER VXL 

WAB IN THB CABNATIO. 

Belative Positions of Europeans in India — ^Encroacliments of th« 
French — ^Labourdonnais — Dupleix — Fort St. David and Pon- 
dicherry besieged — Projects of Dupleix — Cession of Devicotta 
to the English — Chunda Sahib — The Deccan — Arcot — Nasir 
Jung and Mozuffur Jung — Mahomed Ally — Triumph of the 
French — M. Bussy — Salabat Jung — Appearance of Clive— 
Lawrence — Siege of Trichinopoly— Views of the French 
Government — Native Disputes — Clive returns to India. 

There were now, it has been seen, something' like half 
a dozen European nations in the commercial field of 
India. Of these, the French and English were the most 
powerful; for the Portuguese had long been outdistanced 
in the race; and the Dutch, absorbed in the prosecution 
of their spice trade in the Indian Archipelago, were, like 
them, gradually losing ground. The race was therefore 
virtually between the French and English, who, rivals in 
every other quarter of the globe, were destined ere long 
to close in deadly strife on the soil of this eastern land. 
The French factories were not so numerous as the English; 
but in Pondicherry, which they obtained in 1672 of the 
rajah of Bejapore, they possessed an important key to 
the peninsula, a strong fortress, commanding a consider- 
able territory, inhabited by a well-disposed population, 
and in every way a prosperous colony. In addition to 
Pondicherry, they had likewise established a settlement 
at Chandemagore on the Hooghley, and another at Carical 
on the Coromandel coast. 

The confusion that accompanied the break up of the 
Mogul empire but little affected the interests of thff 



64 HISTORY OF INDIA, [OHAT. VIX 

Europeans in India. Intent upon tlie pursuit of business, 
they were careful to observe a strict neutrality ; and while 
a tempest of strife was raging around them, and the war- 
sliout reached the very walls of their settlements, commer- 
cial enterprise was making sure though steady progress. 
This happy condition of afiairs might have continued, but 
for the jealousies and hates which circumstances had en- 
gendered between the European nations themselves. The 
presence of these evil passions, howe\er, led to the adop- 
tion of another policy, and to the initiation of a career of 
territorial conquest and spoliation, which^ till now, had 
never been so much as dreamed of. 

In 1744, the Silesian war broke out in Europe; and the 
rival nations were not long in availing themselves of the 
opportunity the circumstance gave them, of giving play 
to their passions by turning their arms against each other 
here as nearer home. In anticipation of events, indeed, 
the French had despatched M. Labourdonnais, a man of 
considerable naval genius, with a powerful squadron to 
the Indian coast; and the English had been equally care- 
ftJ to prepare for emergencies. 

Operations were commenced by Labourdonnais, who, 
after beating off an English fleet under Commodore 
Barnet, laid siege to Madras. This fortress, being feebly 
garrisoned, was obliged to capitulate. The surrender of 
the place was accompanied by certain terms favourable 
to the vanquished; but Dupleix, the governor of Pondi- 
cherry, refused to ratify them, and, in violation of the 
treaty, transferred the garrison to Pondicherry. The 
English had previously appealed to the nabob of the 
Carnatic, but without result; and now, irritated beyond 
measure at the haughty bearing of the French, he was 
determined upon taking up arms against them. 

It was, however, too late. Without the support ot 
English allies, his army of natives was no match for the 
skill of Dupleix, and the superior discipline of his men. 
He was consequently defeated with considerable loss, and 
forced to withdraw to Arcot. Dupleix next laid siege 
to Fort SL Pavid, a station a few miles to the south oi 



I(J72-1749.] WAR IN THE CARNATIC. 65 

Pondicherry. This place was strongly fortified; and, 
being reinforced by arrivals from England, successfully 
withstood every assault. So strong had the English 
garrison become, that an attack on Pondicherry itself 
was organised. The siege was unskilfully conducted; 
and, in view of the approaching monsoon, the assailants 
retired, having lost one thousand men, dhiefly from the 
effects of climate. Dupleix was elated beyond measure 
at this failure, and it is difficult to conjecture what might 
have been the result of it, had not the peace of Aix-la- 
Chapelle (1749) put an end to hostilities. By this treaty 
Madras was restored to the English, 

The two nations had now no pretext for warfare, and 
there was consequently nothing to interupt the develop- 
ment of commerce by both nations. Unfortunately for 
the cause of peace and good will, the mind of the French 
governor had been filled with ambitious projects of 
empire; and the late campaign had taught him the most 
likely way of accomplishing his ends. He had observed 
the vast superiority of well-disciplined Europeans over 
native troops; and the idea occurred to him, that if by 
any reasonable pretext he could bring himself mto anta- 
gonism with the native princes, the right of might and 
victory would give him a footing in the country such as 
the most advantageous treaties and promises could never 
secure. Moreover, the success which had attended Euro- 
pean arms in the recent conflict had created in the minds 
of the natives a salutary respect for European prowess, 
and the effect soon appeared in the applications made to 
them for support in their intestine feuds. It was, then, 
in this silent recognition of European valour and worth, 
that Dupleix beheld m path which, judiciously followed, 
would lead him to the goal of his ambition. 

The same idea would seem to have possessed the minds 
of his rivals also; and, indeed, it was but a natural con- 
sequence of things at the time; but as yet their aspirations 
appear to have been extremely moderate; for, having 
assisted the rajah Sanbajee in his attempt to gain the 
soveroignty of Taigore, they were qoutent to accept the 



66 HISTORY OF INDIA. [CHAP. VII. 

cession of Devicotta, on the Coleroon river, as compensa- 
tion for their services. This transaction gains prominence 
from the fact that Clive, then a mere lieutenant in the 
company's service, gave the earliest proof of that genins 
which was to raise him by-and-bye to the very loftiest 
place among military leaders. 

Dupleix was now about to play for a far higher stake. 
His rivals had been content to accept as tribute to their 
superiority an insignificant town — a valuable acquisition, 
no doubt, in a commercial sense, but a mere bagatelle 
when compared with the vast scope of his aspirations. 

The disorders before alluded to had at length provided 
ample opportunity for the carrying out of the French- 
man's designs. A few years previously, the rajah of 
Trichinopoly, a small principality in the Carnatic, died, 
leaving three wives, two of whom burned themselves on 
the funeral pile of their husband; while the third sur- 
vived, and claimed the honour of government. Her 
claim was opposed by Safdur Ally, and supported by 
Chunda Sahib, son-in-law of Dost Ally, governor of the 
Carnatic, and a crafty man. By treachery he got posses- 
sion of Trichinopoly; but he was speedily deprived of his 
authority, and sent a prisoner to Sattara. Meanwhile, 
his wife took refuge at Pondicherry, where, having 
gained the good will of Madame Dupleix, the French 
governor espoused their cause, and bribed the Mahratta 
jailors of Chunda Sahib to set him at liberty. The gates 
of Trichinopoly were, however, closed against him; and 
it seemed as though he were about to drop out of view, 
when an event happened which brought his name still 
more prominently into notice. 

For, at this juncture, Nizam-nl-Mulk, soubadah of the 
Deccan died, and the inevitable dispute arose as to the 
succession. The claimants were Kazir Jung, his son, and 
Mozuffur Jung, his grandson. The latter had, at first, 
but slight chance of success; but, by-and-bye, Chunda 
Sahib joined him, and in that prince he found an astute 
counsellor. He pointed out to him the advantage that 
might be gained hy an alliance with the governor of Pondi- 



1749-1760.] WAR IN THE OABXATia 67 

cherry, and from that time his prospects began to brighten. 
The earliest operations of these allies were carried on in 
the Carnatic. Here they defeated and slew the nabob 
Anwur-ud-Deen, and took Arcot. They then proclaimed 
Mozuflfur Jung soubadah of the Deccan, and Chunda Sahib 
nabob of Arcot — an honour to which he had long aspired. 
He now laid siege to Tanjore, and extracted from its 
rajah a large sum as the price of peace. Meanwhile, 
Nazir Jung had arrived unexpectedly from the Deccan; 
and having recaptured Arcot> Chunda and his allies were 
constrained to seek safety within the walls of Pondi- 
cherry. 

When Arcot fell into the hands of Chunda Sahib, 
Mahomed Ally, son of the slain nabob, had fled to Trich- 
inopoly, and here began to court the alliance of the Eng- 
lish. The authorities of Madras were at first reluctant 
to enter the arena; but, fearful of the gi-owing influence of 
the French, they eventually sent him a handful of Euro- 
peans. The Carnatic being a dependency of the Deccan, 
the cause of Mahomed Ally was identical with that of 
Nazir Jung; and a contingent was consequently despatched 
under Major Lawrence to join that prince's native army, '^ 
which was then advancing to the attack of Pondicherry. 

The struggle opened favourably for the English and their 
allies; but the superior diplomacy of Dupleix more than 
compensated for the success of his rival's arms, and the 
tables were quickly turned in favour of his party. He 
reduced Masulipatam and Gingee, and then taking advan- 
tage of the discontent prevailing in Nazir's camp, advanced 
to meet his forces in the field. Aided by the treachery 
of certain Patau chiefs, he gained an easy victory. Nazir 
Jung was put to death, and Mozuffur Jung was forth- 
with proclaimed soubadah of the Deccan. 

No triumph could be more complete than that of 
Dupleix. The soubadah of the Deccan and the nabob of 
Arcot, both owed their advancement to his support; and 
henceforth they must be bound to him by the twofold tie 
of gratitude and awe. He was appointed governor of ali 
the district south of the Krishna. The coin in circulation 



68 HISTORY OP INDIA. [OHAP. VIL 

throughout the province was to be struck at Pondicheriy; 
and to him was accorded the important privilege of col- 
lecting the tribute due to the Mogul. As a private recog- 
nition of his services, he was rewarded with a handsome 
grant from the treasury of the deceased Nazir. 

The position of the new soubadah, however, was, not- 
withstanding the support of Dupleix, a difficult one. 
The Patau chiefs promised to give trouble, and he was 
obliged further to entreat the good offices of the French 
governor, who gave him a body-guard to protect him 
against treachery. This precaution was, nevertheless, of 
no avail; for, having fallen into an ambuscade of the 
followers of the chief of Kurnul, he was slain by the 
same hand that so lately had lain his rival low. 

This untoward event might have been attended with 
serious consequences; but M. Bussy, the French com- 
mander, was equal to the emergency. Sending for Salabat 
Jung, another son of Nizam-ul-Mulk, he caused him to 
be proclaimed -in his dead brother's stead. The newly- 
chosen soubadah willingly confirmed all the promises of 
his predecessor; and the prompt action of Bussy conse- 
quently received the approval of the governor. 

France was now, through the ability of her leaders, 
fast becoming a power in India. She had outdistanced 
her rival in the race for superiority here; and the advan- 
tage she had thus acquired, enhanced by British indiffer- 
ence, had placed her far upon the road to the attainment 
of a position whence she might by-and-bye thrust her 
rivals into the sea. Such an event was not only a possi- 
bility, it seemed upon the point of consummation. The 
home governments abstained at present from interference 
in the warlike proceedings of their merchant subjects; for 
a peaceful relationship existed between the two countries. 
Hence tliis Indian struggle was a curious phenomenon. 

It was at this juncture that the transcendent talent of 
Clive began to force itself into notice. This man, to 
whom the British nation is chiefly indebted for its splen- 
tliil eastern empire, was the son of a gentleman of Shrop- 
slure. He had gone out to India as a clerk in the 



1760-1751.] WAE IN THE CARNATia 69 

company's service. Of a restless and stirring spirit, the 
monotonj of a life at the desk was irksome; and he soon 
threw down the pen to take up the sword. The earliest 
incident of his warrior life on record has already been 
noticed. Subsequent events served to give his talents 
greater prominence; but what established his reputation 
as a skilful soldier was the accomplishment of a bold and 
well-designed attack on Arcot, undertaken to draw Chunda 
Sahib from before Trichinopoly, to which he had laid siege. 

His defence of the place was no less masterly than 
its capture. With a mere handful of men, and these 
reduced by failure of supplies to starvation point, for 
seven long weeks he defended a shambling fortress against 
the assaults of 10,000 troops, till relieved by some friendly 
Mahrattas, under a chieftain named Morai E-ow; when, 
as if to make up for his forced inactivity, he sallied from 
his stronghold, and attacking his enemies, defeated them 
in several engagements. These exploits of Olive exer- 
cised a powerful moral effect both on natives and English- 
men. It taught the one the worth of English alliance, 
and roused the other from the dangerous lethargy which 
seemed to have fastened upon them. 

A most sublime episode occurred in connection with 
this memorable siege. The garrison, composed of a mixed 
company of natives and Europeans, were considerably 
straitened from the exhaustion of food supplies; and in 
this condition it was supposed ths^ the native portion 
would break into rebellion, or at least evince a spirit 
of discontent. So far from this, they came to Olive 
and magnanimously proposed that the grain should be 
given to the Europeans, and the gruel, or water it was 
boiled in, to themselves. "History," says Macaulay, 
" contains no more touching instance of military fidelity, 
or of the influence of a commanding mind. . . . The 
devotion of the little band to its chief surpassed anything 
that is related of the Tenth Legion of Osesar, or of the 
Old Guard of Napeleon." 

Olive's exploits, however, for the present ended here. 
Chunda Sahib was still before Tridunopoly; and Major 



70 HISTOBY OF INDIA. [cHAP. VII. 

Lawrence, who was now in supreme oomraand, hastened 
to carry out the policy of Clive, and attack him there. 
In conjunction with Mahomed Ally, who had been rein- 
forced by contingents from Mysore, Tanjore, and the 
Mahrattas, Lawrence, taking Clive with him, set out 
from Madras on this errand; though strongly supported 
by Dupleix, the perseverance, courage, and skill of Law- 
rence and his lieutenant prevailed. The siege was raised, 
and Chunda was obliged to take refuge in an islet of the 
Cauvery, on which stood the pagoda of Seringham. His 
new position invested, he was by-and-bye compelled to 
surrender. Chunda was allowed to go at liberty; but 
shortly after, falling into the hands of the Mahrattas, he 
was by them summarily beheaded. The surrender of this 
fortress gave the English an abundance of military stores. 

The war, however, still continued. The conduct oi 
Mahomed Ally having displeased his Mysorean and Mah- 
ratta allies, they deserted to the enemy. Dupleix, there- 
fore, at the head of a respectable force, took the field; 
but in one action, fought near Fort St. David, be was 
overthrown with great loss, and the campaign of 1752 
closed with the capture by Clive of Covelong and Chingle- 
put. As soon as the season would permit the struggle 
was renewed, and Trichinopoly once more became the 
centre of military operations. This important fortress, 
now in the hands of the English, was besieged by the 
Miuhrattas and Tanjoreans, who were assisted by the 
French; but for a year and a half the garrison defied 
every effort of its assailants to capture it, till the recall 
of M. Dupleix, and the appointment of M. Godeheu 
brought about a suspension of hostilities. 

This truce was mainly occasioned by the interference 
of the home governments, who had wisely determined 
upon putting a stop to such conflicts, as mutually embar- 
rassing, and thoroughly inconsistent with the spirit of 
friendly relations then existing between them. The 
French had never, as a nation, taken any deep interest 
in the afiairs of India; and, while the brain of her great 
politician was filled with schemes for establishing French 



1751-1755.] WAR IN THE CARNJLTia 71 

dominion in this peninsula, his countiymen were disposed 
to listen to the remonstrances of the English, whose 
determination to put an end to French encroachments in 
this quarter was judiciously backed by the preparation of 
a formidable armament. The course taken by his govern- 
ment must have been galling in the extreme to Dupleix, 
who, however, had no alternative but to submit. He 
returned to France, and received, as the reward of his 
exertions, the basest ingratitude from all conditions of 
his fellow-countrymen. 

The terms of the treaty of Pondicherry (1755), drawn 
up by M. Godeheu, and Mr. Saunders the English gover- 
nor, were, as a whole, advantageous to the English; but 
the treaty was operative only in closing hostilities between 
the two subscribing powers. No arrangement their 
European allies might choose to make could settle the 
differences of the principals, and the struggle therefore 
continued. By the advice of M. Bussy, the Peshwar, 
the chief officer of state among the Mahrattas, who had 
taken up arms against Salabafc Jung, the French nominee, 
was induced to withdraw his support from Ghazee-ud- 
Deen, JSTizam-ul-Mulk's eldest son; and this prince, having 
met with an untimely end, Salabat was now without a 
rival in the Deccan. The soubadahship of Salabat was 
certainly not confirmed at Delhi; but, all-powerful in the 
support of M. Bussy, this was no material consideration. 
The new soubadah exhibited his gratitude to his Euro- 
pean allies by ceding to them the maritime province 
known as the Northern Circars. 

Disputes, however, still remained to trouble the Car- 
natic. None of the native combatants, excepting per> 
haps Salabat Jung, were as yet satisfied. The Mysorean 
regent, Nunjeras, was bent on the possession of Trichino- 
poly, which, it appears, had once been promised him by 
Mahomed Ally as the price of his support; and Mahomed 
Ally himself, at the same time, laid claim to certain 
tribute as nabob of the Carnatic, and called upon the 
English to assist him iti its collection, which they obeyed. 
The French, following this example, lent similar aid to 



73 HISTOBT OF nrDXA. [OBAP. Til. 

Salabat Jung, and thus the spirit, if not the letter of the 
treaty of Pondicherry, was violated by both parties. The 
only redeeming feature of the transaction seems to have 
been the check it placed upon the depredations of the 
Peshwar. 

In the year 1755, Mr., now Colonel, Clive, appointed to 
the command of Fort St. David, returned to India. He 
had been absent in England for two years; but, though 
his hands had been idle all this time, his mind had been 
fully occupied; and he now returned, with a head filled 
with schemes for the aggrandizement of his nation in the 
East. He had given it as his opinion that, so long as 
there was a Frenchman in arms in the Deccan, there 
could be no peace for India; and, in his desire to try con- 
clusions with M. Bussy, he exhibited a spirit similar to 
that which aforetime had possessed Dupleix when he was 
heard to declare that he would reduce Madras to the 
insignificance of a fishing-village. "While, however, the 
design of the one was never accomplished, the object of 
the other was destined speedily to be realised. 

The treaty of Pondicherry prevented Clivo from com- 
mencing operations against the French; but work was 
meantime found him in the Mahratta country. The 
Peshwar was at this time engaged in reducing a refrac- 
tory vassal named Toolajee Angria, who held possession 
of a portion of the Malabar coast, in the neighbourhood 
of Bombay. The encouragement given to piracy by this 
chieftain was matter of great moment to all, but more 
especially to the English, whose trade suffered from the 
depredations of his fleets. With Olive's assistance, Sev- 
erndroog, one of his strongholds, was reduced; and Ban- 
coote, the first territorial acquisition after Bombay, was 
ceded to the English by way of reward. Gheria, another 
piratic nest, on the other hand, defied the Peshwar's 
effort. It fell, however, to a combined attack of the 
English by land and sea, and the struggle ended. 

Olive now was destined for a time to remain a passive 
spectator of a peculiar contest Mutual interest had 
led to an alliance between the Peshwar and Salabat 



1755.1788.] iTAft IN THE OARNAWa f J 

Jung; and the French, as allies of the latter, of course 
took paii; in the operations that followed. The Peshwar, 
jealous of the advantage such support gave to Salabat, 
resolved to deprive him of it. To this end he bribed 
Salabat's minister; and when the war was terminated 
by the capture of Savanoor, Bussy, to his extreme sur- 
prise, was ordered to retire. He feigned obedience, for 
his troops had been tampered with. He knew, however, 
the disadvantage which would arise from such a step, and 
so he was resolved to fight for the maintenance of his 
hold upon the Deccan. He might easily have secured it 
by an alliance with the Peshwar; but, declining all his 
overtures, he made for Hyderabad ; and there, taking up 
a position in a building called the Char Minar, bade the 
nizam defiance. 

In this position he was besieged by Salabat; but, being 
reinforced from Pondicherry and Masulipatam by con- 
tingents under de Leyrit and Mr. Law, and aided by the 
treachery of some of the Mahratta allies of his adversary, 
he presented so formidable a front that Salabat deemed 
it prudent to come to terms. The conduct of Bussy was 
highly praiseworthy and dignified. He imposed no new 
conditions upon his faithless protege, and frankly forgave 
him his treachery. The French might have secured 
important advantages from this conduct of Salabat; for 
no one knew better than the nizam how little he was 
able to withstand alone the might of Bussy; and the 
Council of Madras, in view of other employment for their 
forces, strenuously refused to lend him any assistance. 
The government of Bombay had, notwithstanding the 
representations of Clive, lUiewise determined upon a 
neutral position; and, for the present at least, Bussy was 
master of the situation* 



CHAPTER VIIL 

j BVENTS IN BENGAL. 

The Mftlinnicaa — Alivorrli Klian dofende Bengal against theii 
Doj>ro<lutionH — I*»c(;oiiioh Nabob of the Provinco — ►Suraj-ud- 
Dowlal), liiH iSuccoHHor, Bonio^os Calcutta — Capture of the 
CaniHon -Tho " I '.lack Hole" — C/amimigu against Sourai- 
ud- Dow hill — I'laHHoy — Death of ISuraj-ud-Dowlah — Ormi- 
ohuud tlio Baukor. 

It will 1)0 viTidorMliOod, from tbo frcqnoncy with wliich the 
Malinil-l.a unino occiirH, that tin's ])(H)[)1(3 had bocomo a 
j)ow(u- of no iii(5!Ui oi(l(^r in tlio conntry. And so it was. 
EH(.M,l)liHli(Ml UH a nation tbron^li tlio prowess of Sivajee, 
thoy, by tbe wisdom of subs(Hjnont hinders, as liajee Kao, 
for inslanco, ho rjij)idly dovolopod in strength and re- 
Bourcos tluit tl>e miglit of their inflnonco had come to be 
recognised throughout Central India and the Deccan ; 
and tluur alliiinco was consequently engerly sought by the 
contending )>}uties in the incessant conilicts of the period. 
For some time they had been making inroads upon the 
dominions of the nabob of Bengal; and, but for the 
genius of Alivetdi Khan, the Afghan commander of the 
nabob's forces, tlie provinces of Bengal, Bahar, and Orissa, 
woidd doubtless have been bix)uglit, like tlie neighbouring 
territory, beneath their sway. 

So important was this service of Aliverdi Khan con- 
sidered tiuit, on tho d(Mith of Sluijah-ud-deen, he had little 
dilliculty in setting aside the deceased sovereign's son, 
and securing the throne of these pi-ovinoes for himself. 
Like most usuiiiei-s he was a woi-thy ruler; and, in the 
present state of things, a boon to the provinces whose 
aflaira he administered. His wars with tho Mahratta 



1740-1766.] BVBNT8 m BBNOAlk T5 

invaders were many, and marked by great vicissitude; 
and, if he was unable to stop their depredations, he at 
least saved the dominions from conquest. In other 
respects he gained the gratitude of his subjects, and 
exhibited a friendly spirit towards the English, to whom 
he granted the privilege of strengthening Calcutta by 
fortifications, a portion of which is known to this day as 
the Mahratta Ditch. Had this monarch's successor been 
a man of his mould the important events about to be 
enacted in this part of India would probably never have 
occuiTed, and the genius of their great hero, Clive, never 
probably have found a field for its development. 

Suraj-ud-Dowlah, however, while possessing much of 
his grandsire's energy, lacked his wisdom and govern- 
mental talent, and was, withal, a man of great depravity 
and intense cruelty. He greatly oppressed his Hindu 
subjects; and, irritated at the protection afforded by the 
authorities of Calcutta to a fugitive subject, Kishen Das, 
whose immense wealth had rendered him an object of 
envy to the new nabob, he began to show his displeasure 
towards his English neighbours in an unmistakable 
manner. First he demanded the surrender of Kishen 
Das with his treasures; and then ordered the demolition 
of the fortifications of Calcutta, taking care to supple- 
ment his demands by marching a large army towards the 
city. 

The city was reckoned to be unprepared for a siege; 
and, at a council of war, it was determined to abandon 
the place, and take refuge on board the vessels in the 
river. Some of the residents were already embarked, 
when thefii-ing of some guns occasioned a panic; and the 
ships, weighing anclior, (Iropj)ed down the stream, aban- 
doning the residue to their own resources. The attack 
was made, and the garrison, totally unable to resist the 
assaults of the nabob, capitulated. 

The sequel is a sad and well-known story. One hun- 
dred and forty-six persons, of every age and condition, 
were thrust into the Black Hole, an abominable prison- 
house, which in its dimensions scarcely exceeded those of 



76 HIBTORT OP INDIA. [CHAP. VIII. 

«n ordinary bed-chamber. A scorching clime and absence 
of ventilation combined to produce suffocation. Water 
was mercilessly denied the prisoners, and the sick and 
wounded, dropping one by one, increased, by putrefaction, 
the horrors of the cell, whose atmosphere soon came to re- 
semble that of a charnel-house. To the many, death came, 
a merciful deliverer; to the few, he appeared in the 
light of a heartless mocker, able but unwilling to end their 
sufferings. The tortures of heat and thirst quickly trans- 
formed the survivors from reasonable creatures to raving 
maniacs. To their frantic cries for relief they received 
only the jibes of their jailers; and a heart-rending appeal 
to the soldiers to fire upon them met with a like success. 
Of the hundred and forty-six persons imprisoned, not 
more than twenty-three survived this night of horrors; 
and when, in the morning, their prison doors were 
opened, the daylight fell upon a ghastly group indeed. 

The confiscation of all the English property in Calcutta 
of course followed upon the capture of the place; and the 
English were now left without a possession in Bengal. 
Great was the indignation at Madras when tidings of this 
diabolical drama reached the city. Vengeance, however, 
was neither swift nor severe. After wasting some time 
in deliberation, Clive was despatched to the scene with a 
force of 2000 men and some artillery; and a fleet of ten 
vessels under Admiral "Watson received orders to co- 
operate with the land forces. 

Owing to the monsoon, it was December before the 
expedition reached the Ganges. With that celerity, how- 
ever, which characterises all its distinguished leader's 
movements, the operations were at once commenced; and 
Buj-buj, the first fortress attacked^ quickly surrendered. 
On reaching Calcutta the fleet commenced the bombard- 
ment. The nabob's garrison fled with precipitation, and 
the English flag once more waved above its ramparts. 

The recovery of Calcutta was deemed sufficient to 
satisfy the claims of justice merely; and. Clive now con- 
templated retribution. Asceilding the river he attacked 
and took the town of Hooghley; but, being somewhat 



1756-1757.] BTENTS IS BENGAL. 77 

alarmed at the advance of tlie nabob with a formidable 
force, and having heard rumours of the outbreak of war 
between England and France, he thought it prudent to 
pause. His action, too, was crippled by the oonduct of 
the council, who were irritated because he had presumed 
to act independently of them. 

Suraj-ud-Dowlah had been vainly appealing to the 
French, who had a garrison of 600 Europeans at Chan- 
dernagore. Disappointed in his hopes of support in this 
quarter, he determined to trust to his own resources; 
and, with this resolve, he marched from Moorshedabad, 
and again took up a position near Calcutta. His army 
of 40,000 men was met by Olive's little band of 2000 
Europeans and Sepoys. Being worsted in the field, he 
entered into negotiations with the council, and terms of 
peace were speedily agreed upon. This treaty was most 
advantageous to the interests of the company; but, inas- 
much as no compensation was sought for the sufferers of 
the Calcutta tragedy, it was considered anything but 
satisfactory. 

The Seven Years' "War had now broken out; and, in 
Europe, England and France were engaged in deadly strife. 
There was, consequently, nothing to prevent the recur- 
rence of hostilities between these nations in this quarter 
of the world; and Clive promptly commenced operations 
by marching to the attack of Chandernagore. The French 
claimed the nabob's protection; and Suraj-ud-Dowlah, in 
his own, rather than in their interests, sent a body of 
troops to the place. Clive and his colleague, Admiral 
Watson, were at first disposed to respect the authority of 
the nabob, and to retire; for M. Bussy was in the North- 
ern Circars with a strong force ; and the garrison of 
Chandernagore was by no means despicable. Perceiving, 
however, that delay would endanger their interests, the 
English commanders broke off the negotiations into which 
they had entered with that prince, and commenced an 
advance upon the French settlement. In anticipation of 
events the fortifications of the place had been strength- 
ened; but the besiegers, reinforced from Bombay, wero 



78 HISTORY OP INDIA. [OHAP. VIII. 

now in overwhelming might ; and, after a gallant defence 
of nine days, Chandemagore surrendered. , ; 

Highly indignant, but utterly powerless to administeife 
retribution, Suraj-ud-Dowlah withdrew to Plassey — Clive, 
meanwhile, taking his station at Hooghley. The position 
of the nabob was anything but an enviable one. The 
Mahrattas under Ahmed Shah Abdally had invaded the 
empire, and, after plundering Delhi, were advancing upon 
Bengal. Before him were the English, flushed with vic- 
tory ; while, to add to his perplexity, his own subjects, 
disgusted with his tyranny and treachery, were plotting 
itgainst him in all directions. This spirit of rebellion was, 
of course, encouraged by the English commanders ; and, 
imder the flimsy plea of the nabob's own perfidy. English- 
men were not ashamed to take part in the conspiracies 
set on foot for his deposition. 

The chief plotters were Meer Jaffier, the brother-in-law 
of Aliverdy Khan and commander of the nabob's forces, 
and a wealthy banker named Ormichund, whom Suraj- 
nd-Dowlah, to the annoyance of his subjects, had taken 
into his secret counsels. The nabob was to be dethroned, 
and his honours vested in Meer Jaffier. Had the English 
known their own strength, or rather their enemy's weak- 
ness, they might have held aloof from such base proceed- 
ings ; and one of the darkest chapters in the history ol 
the Anglo -Indian empire would thus have remained 
unwritten. 

Emboldened by the knowledge he possessed concerning 
the spirit that animated the nabob's people, Clive now- 
commenced proceedings. He had been profiered the 
support of a Mahratta force of 100,000 men, a tempting 
ofier indeed, when it is remembered that, with an army 
not exceeding 3000 men of all arms, he had bidden defi- 
ance to a nation. While, however, his courage at one 
time well-nigh forsook him, so that he thought of retreat, 
he, for certain reasons, declined this assistance ; and, on 
the very morrow of his misgivings, his little band was 
crossing the Ganges on their way towards the nabob's 
position at Plassey. 



17fi7.] EVENTS IN BENOAIte; 79 

^ By midniglit they had advanced so near to the enemy's 
lines that the challenges of the sentries could almost be 
heard in either camp ; and a collision next day was there- 
fore inevitable. The action was opened by the troops of 
the nabob, who, at daybreak, commenced a heavy can- 
nonade on the English position, which, fortunately, was 
well defended by mud-banks. The English gunners re- 
plied, and at noon the enemy retired to their fortified 
camp. Clive now ordered that this position should be 
stormed. The order was unhesitatingly obeyed ; and so 
vigorous was the onset, that the enemy quickly aban- 
doned their works and fled. Meer Muhdun, the com- 
mander of the nabob's army, was killed ; and Suraj-ud- 
Dowlah himself, who had taken no part in the action, fled 
at a gallop towards Moorshedabad. 

The defeat of Suraj-ud-Dowlah at Plassey was instru- 
mental in ridding India of this most tyrannical of gover- 
nors. For, unwilling to trust himself in Moorshedabad, 
he fled into the open country, and took refuge in the cave 
of a dervish. It was an unfortunate move ; for it hap- 
pened to be the abode of a man who had sufiered con- 
siderably from his cruelty. The dervish treated him with 
apparent respect; but, meanwhile, sent information con- 
cerning his presence to a son of Meer Jaffier. By this 
prince he was brought back to the capital, and put to 
death without ceremony. 

Meanwhile, Clive passed on in triumph to Moorsheda- 
bad, where he proclaimed Meer Jaffier soubadah of Ben- 
gal, Bahar, and Orissa. To the English alone did Meer 
Jaffier owe this dignity; and it will be readily under- 
stood that he would act liberally towards the nation that 
had so advanced him. Accordingly, the treasures col- 
lected by means of the late nabob's tyranny and violence 
were lavishly employed to compensate those who had in 
any way suffered from the acts of Suraj-ud-Dowlah. There 
was no parsimony; and all claims, real or imaginary, 
were readily admitted. The army and navy received an 
enormous grant, and the valuable services of Clive were 
rewarded by a gift of something like half a million ster- 



80 BISTOBT OF INDU. [OHAP. VOL 

ling. This was the first of those princely grants which 
went to create him one of the most wealthy men of the 
time. 

Ormichund the banker, however, of whom incidental 
mention has been made, was treated in a very different 
manner. He had, it appeared, agreed to accept as the 
value of his share in the late conspiracy, thirty lacs of 
rupees, or £300,000. Much had depended upon the co- 
operation of this man ; and, if his nefarious conduct is 
not to be justified, it was not worse than that of others ; 
and he had, at least, earned his reward by fidelity to the 
cause of his English employers. When, however, after 
the revolution had proved a success, he called upon them 
to redeem their promise, his share was in the first place 
reduced to twenty lacs, and then, to his intense amaze- 
ment, he was flatly told that none would be forthcoming. 
This exhibition of perfidy so affected him that his reason 
forsook him, and he died about a year after — a hopeless 
idiot. The only plea that Olive and the other parties to 
this perfidious transaction could bring forward in extenu- 
ation was, the necessity of meeting fraud with fraud. 
The transaction, nevertheless, was none the less infamous 
for that ; and it must ever remain a blot upon the memory 
of those who were parties to it. 



CHAPTER DC 

8TBUG0LES OF THE ENGLISH AND FBENCOi 

Bvents in the Camatio — Campaign of M. Lally — Investment ol 
Madras — Events in the Deccan and Northern Circars — Fall 
of Masulipatam — The French driven from the Deccan — 
Events in Bengal — Clive receives the Quit-rents of the Com- 
pany's Lands — High-handed Proceedings of the Dutch — M. 
Bussy and Colonel Coote — Fall of Pondicherry — Lally's fate. 

Meanwhile, events of moment were going forward in 
that ancient theatre the Carnatic. In 1757, Captain 
Calliaud attacked Madura; and the French, by way of 
retalliation, invested Trichinopoly. This movement had 
tke effect of drawing off the besiegers from Madura for a 
time. It subsequently fell into English hands, as did also 
the fortress of Wandiwash. Several other unimportant 
trials of strength between the European rivals occurred 
in this region, and formed a fitting prelude to the import- 
ant events which were about to transpire. 

On the outbreak of hostilities between France and Eng- 
land, the French despatched Count de Lally with a con- 
siderable armament to uphold the interests of their nation 
in India. His landing, which took place in the spring of 
1768, was the signal for vigorous action. He imme- 
diately laid siege to Fort St. David; and, during the pro- 
gress of operations, an English squadron attacked the 
French fleet, with a view to preventing the landing of 
men and stores at Pondicherry. It failed, and the in- 
vestment of Fort St David proceeded ; its garrison sur- 
rendering after a few weeks' investment. 

It was now fully expected that Madras, the seat of 
government, would be the next object of Lally's attack ; 
and, accordingly, every exertion was made in anticipation 
of the movementi For the present, however, it seemed 

f 



82 BI8T0ST OF IMDU. [CSU?. U^ 

this important place was to remain nnmolested. It 
appealed that the French commander was in want of 
necessary funds, to obtain which he now made attaclss 
on Tanjore and Arcot These expeditions, although they 
did little towards^ replenishing his treasury, served to 
establish his reputation as one of the most tyrannical of 
European goyemors. At length the threatened attack 
on Madras was nigh ; and, in the middle of December, 
Lally sat down before its walls with a force of 10,000 
men. At first his efforts were successful; for the garri- 
son, hard pressed, seemed upon the point of surrender; 
but, an English fleet arriving in the Beads, all hopes of 
reducing the place disappeared; and, retreating with pre- 
cipitation, he left his artillery and ammunition as spoils 
to the garrison (1759). 

The ill success attending French arms was not confined 
to the Camatic. Either with a view of strengthening 
his own position, or jealous because of the success of 
Bussy, M. Lally proceeded to recall that general, and to 
give the command to the Marquise de Conflans. Bussy, 
it will be remembered, had, after his quarrel with Sala- 
bat Jung, taken possession of Hyderabad, whence ha 
removed into the Northern Circars. Here he was called 
upon to render assistance to Salabat in his struggles with 
his rebel brothers, Nizam Ally and Basalat Jung. His 
efforts in his protege's behalf were everywhere successful. 
He had got possession of Dowlatabad, one of the strongest 
fortresses in India, and had therefore secured a vantage- 
ground whence he might disseminate French influence. 
It was at this juncture that he was recalled. He had no 
sooner obeyed than the unwisdom of the step became 
evident. The rajah of Vizagapatam first made insurrec- 
tion against the French, and then applied to Clive to 
assist him in driving them from the Northern Circars. 
Clive, nothing loth, as quickly as possible sent forward 
Colonel Forde, who overthrew Conflans at Rajahmundry, 
He signally defeated him, and then set out to besiego 
MasuUpatam. 



W 



1758.] CAMPAIGN OF H. LALLT, 83 

Here his success seemed likely to end, for the French 
commander had communicated with SaJabat Jung ; and 
that prince was known to be on the march with a con 
siderable force. And, to add to his perplexity, a spirit 
of insubordination had shown itself in his camp. Nothing 
daunted, however, he quickly allayed all discontent ; and, 
having completed his arrangements, stormed and carried 
the place in a most gallant manner. Salabat Jung lost 
all confidence in his French allies after this occurrence, 
and began to make overtures to the English. A treaty 
was concluded between him and Forde,by which Masulipa- 
tam was ceded to the English, and the French forbidden to 
possess any settlement to the north of the Kistna. Thus the 
power of France in the Deccan was broken beyond repair. 

The defeat of Suraj-ud-Dowlah at Plassey, it will be 
remembered, had occasioned a revolution in Bengal; 
Meer Jaffier, having been by reason of it elevated to the 
throne of that province. Had this prince exhibited quali- 
ties which could have justified the change, all might have 
been well. Unfortunately, however, for the peace of the 
land, Meer Jaffier was of a weak and wavering character. 
His imprudence soon drove his subjects into rebellion ; 
and the good offices of Clive were solicited to save him 
from the consequences of his own foolish government. 
To add to his embarrassment, an attack by the nabob of 
Allahabad, aided by a French contingent, seemed immi- 
nent; while the Mahrattas were pressing him for certain 
grants which had been promised them. 

Clive advanced to Moorshedabad, effected a reconcilia- 
tion between the soubadah and his rebellious subjects, 
and prepared to try conclusions with his foreign enemies, 
who, having by this time advanced to Patna, had laid 
siege to it. The confederates, however, withdrew upon 
the approach of a relieving force ; and Meer Jaffier was 
thus delivered from the dangers that had surrounded 
him. The soubadah showed his gratitude to his bene- 
factor by endowing him with the quit-rents of the territory 
occupied by the English within his dominion -, and em« 



Bi BI8T0BT OF INDIA. [CHAP, IX. 

ployed Ids interest with the Mogul to procure for him the 
title of an omrah or noble of the empire, with three lacs 
of rupees yeai-ly for the support of the dignity. 

But Olive's occupation was not yet gone ; for a danger 
now threatened English interests in Bengal. The French 
had been driven from the province; but the English had 
other rivals there in the Dutch, who possessed a settle- 
ment at Chinsura on the Hooghley, not far from Calcutta. 
A powerful fleet of theirs had entered the river; and 
there was every reason to believe that an understanding 
existed between them and Meer Jaffier inimical to 
English interests. Fearing a surprise, Clive began to 
make preparations ; carefully abstaining from any act of 
unfriendliness. Although, however, there was peace at 
the time between the two countries, the Dutch threw 
down the gauntlet of war by seizing some of the com- 
pany's vessels, and burning their depot at Fulta. Clive 
was equal to the emergency. He despatched thither Com- 
modore Wilson, who captured their fleet; while their 
land-force, attacked by Colonel Forde, was entirely over- 
thrown. This two-fold victory induced the Dutch to 
consent to a treaty by which a very limited number of 
Europeans was allowed within the province,and this merely 
for the purpose of protecting their commercial interests. 

After his repulse from before Madras, Lally retired to 
Arcot, there to await those reinforcements from home 
of which he had been in daily expectation. The French 
fleet sustained a defeat ofi" Trincomalee by Admiral Po- 
cocke, who, however, could not prevent the escape of 
Bome of his enemy's vessels ; and Lally thereby received 
reinforcements to the extent of 600 Europeans, together 
with a considerable sum of money. Even this addition 
to his treasury was not sufficient to meet his necessities. 
His men were clamorous for pay ; and when, finally, M. 
Bussy quitted the camp upon an errand to the Deccan, 
they broke out into open mutiny. This circumstance 
determined him to divide his forces^ one half of which he 



tiBS-neh} «. lally's fate. 85 

Bent southward. It was a false move, and advantage waa 
at once taken of it ; for Colonel Coote, who was then at 
Madras, advanced to attack it. After some desultory- 
movements, the rival armies met near Wandiwash, an 
important position, for the possession of which many a 
gallant struggle had already taken place. The action was 
a severe one, for the combatants were pretty equally bal- 
anced. The fortunes of the day, however, remained with 
the English, who slew 600 of their enemy, and took M. 
Bussy prisoner. 

This victory opened for Coote the road to Arcot, 
whither he now advanced to try conclusions with Lally 
himself. Arcot quickly fell ; and soon Pondicherry was 
the only French possession on the Carnatic coast. This 
important station was now invested. Lally was by this 
time reduced to the most desperate straits. He stood 
greatly in need of reinforcements, and had little hope of 
receiving any by reason of the presence of a powerful 
British squadron. In this dilemma he was constrained 
to look for native help. He thought of Hyder Ally of 
Mysore, and commenced negotiations with him. They, 
however, came to nothing ; and, as the English had com- 
menced the siege, he had no alternative but to rely upon 
his own garrison. 

His first measure was to rid himself of the useless 
mouths within the city; and, accordingly, 1400 of the 
natives were driven into the open country to shift for 
themselves. Lally held out so long as the supplies lasted; 
but at length, when all was ready for the assault, a flag 
of truce was sent into the English camp. The envoys 
had been despatched to propose terms of surrender. Coote 
would agree to no conditions whatever ; and the garrison 
of Pondicherry, with its vast stores of artillery and ammu- 
nition, capitulated. The walls were quickly demolished ; 
and the last vestige of French dominion in India was thus 
obliterated. Lally's fate was a stem one. Hooted out of 
the fort by his own men, he was carried back to France, 
where he was tried, condemned, and guillotined, in obedi- 
ence to the demands of his exasperated fellow-oountiymen. 



CHAMER X. 

UVENTS IN BENGAL. — {contintied,) 

Movements of Shah Allum — Deposition of Meer Jaffier, and 
Elevation of Meer Cossim — Treaty with Shah Allum — Inimi- 
cal Proceedings of Meer Cossim — Meer Jaffier Reinstated— 
Battle of Buxar — "Eeturn of the Nabobs" — Nujum-ud- 
Dowlah succeeds Meer Jaffier — Clive's Third Visit to India — 
His Mission — The English become virtual Eulers of Bengal, 
Bahar, and Orissa — Mutinous Spirit among English Troops 
— Outcry in England Against the Company's Government-— 
Clive accused — His End — Character. 

In 1760, Clive, whose constitution had suffered consider^ 
ably from the effects of climate, labour, and anxiety, 
returned to England. His place was filled for a time by 
Mr. Holwell ; and he in turn was succeeded by Mr. Yan- 
sittart, a gentleman who had received instructions to 
pursue a policy now for some time in contemplation, 
namely — the deposition of Meer Jaffier, and the appoint- 
ment of Meer Cossim, his son-in-law, iq his stead. Their 
schemes, however, were for a time interrupted by the 
proceedings of Shah Allum, who, upon the murder of his 
father, Alumgeer, had succeeded to the now phantom 
throne of Delhi. This prince was at the time marching 
on Bengal, with a view to its recovery as a dependency 
of the court of Delhi; and in this expedition he was 
aided by the viceroy of Oude. He first advanced to 
attack Patna; but in this design he was thwarted by 
Captain Calliaud, and the nabob's son, and chief counsellor, 
Meerun. He therefore withdrew into Bengal, and made 
for Moorshedabad ; but the city was too strong to fear 
him, and, as Calliaud still hung closely on his rear, he 
returned to Patna once morej and, in concert with a 



l?Mi] STxam m mtamMt, 



Freneh oolnmn, attempted its reduction. Tiinmgli the 
celerity of Captain Kno^B moyements he was again 
foiled; and he retreated with precipitalion from before 

its walls. 

Shah Allum being thns disposed of^the scheme for the 
deposition of Meer Jaffier proceeded. The condition of 
the nabob's affairs favoured the furtherance of it. Dis- 
affection was rife throughout the province; and when, by 
the untimely death of Meerum, he was deprived of his 
right hand, the troops mutinied ; and, but for the exer- 
tions of Meer Cossim, would have put hinr to death. A 
fate such at this, perhaps, would have been more welcome 
than that which was to follow ; for Meer Jaffier, with all 
his failings, was of an extremely proud and sensitive 
nature ; and the indignity to which he was about to be 
subjected must have been gall and wormwood to him. 
Having arranged their plans, the nabob, to his surprise, 
was ordered to place the management of his exchequer in 
the hands of Meer Cossim. This he indignantly refused 
to do, choosing rather to renounce his royal authority, 
and to withdraw to the retirement of private life. 

This treatment of Meer Jaffier has ever been regarded 
as a shameful piece of business. His administration, it 
is true, had been anything but satisfactory; and the com- 
pany had ample reason to regret the share they had had 
in his elevation to the nabobship ; neither is there any 
room to doubt that the interests of the Company were 
jeopardized by his bad government ; but subsequent pro- 
ceedings render it difficult to believe that the parties 
concerned in the plot were animated by these considera- 
tions alone. The Company, indeed, was rewarded by a 
cession of the districts of Burdwan, Midnapore, and Chit- 
tagong, together with a pecuniary grant towards the 
expenses incurred during the war in the Camatic. Un- 
fortunately, however, for the plea of duty and disinter- 
estedness, Mr. Holwell, Mr. Yansittart, and other officers, 
received ample shares from the treasury of the deposed 
ruler; and the entire affiiir is surrounded by an atmo> 
sphere of selfishness which has never yet been dispelled. 



8S toSTORt OF INDIA. [cOkf, X. 

In the words of a writer of the present day, ** it seems 
only surprising, if the council desired a change, that they 
did not espouse the just cause of the emperor, with whom 
they might have made their own terms, and obtained 
more favourable and more extensive grants than they 
exacted from Meer Cossim." 

Shah Allum had not yet abandoned his design upon 
Bengal and its neighbouring provinces ; and, encouraged 
by the condition of affairs there, he shunned his capital, 
and hung upon the skirts of the provinces in order to be 
ready to take advantage of any circumstance which might 
afford him a prospect of success. That opportunity by- 
and-bye presented itself; but not till after he had received 
a smart check at the hands of Major Carnac in an action 
wherein his French allies were made prisoners. Having 
gained this advantage over Shah Allum, the Company 
were in a position to treat with him; and Carnac was 
accordingly despatched on this errand. The emperor was 
invited to Patna, and there treated with imperial respect; 
a.nd the result of the negotiation was, that he was to 
receive annually a nominal tribute — the company being 
invested with the command of the financial concerns of 
the province. 

It was not long before the company had cause to regret 
the removal of Meer Jaffier; for, contrary to their expec- 
tations, Meer Cossim proved a far more formidable ob- 
stacle to their progress than ever his predecessor had 
been. The treasury of the province was exhausted, the 
demands upon it were pressing; and there was no alter- 
native left the new nabob but to have recourse to exac- 
tions from his wealthy subjects. Among these was one 
Ram Narrain, the Hindu governor of Patna, a faithful 
friend of the English, and one whom the company were 
bound to protect. Prom some cause or other they neglec- 
ted to fulfil this obligation, and the man was despoiled in 
a most shameful manner. 

The circumstance was of considerable moment, inas- 
much as it caused the English to lose in the estimation 
of the natives, and to encourage the nabob to the further 



I761-1764.J EVENTS TN BlNaAL. 89 

exeitsise of his own authority. He went so far, indeed, 
as to contemplate a severance from his English patrons ; 
and to this end he removed from Moorshedabad to Mon- 
gheer, where he might in secret make preparations ; for 
he knew that his scheme would necessitate a struggle. 
He took some skilful men into his employ, and by their 
aid he presently found himself in possession of a consider- 
able quantity of military stores. In due time he opened 
the question by depriving the English of certain trading 
privileges, and seized some boats laden with English 
goods; and when remonstrances were made, he forthwith 
gave orders for the apprehension of all Englishmen within 
his dominions. 

The quarrel had now commenced in earnest. The 
English at once recalled the deposed Meer Jaffier from 
the obscurity to which he had been relegated; and, rein- 
vesting him with the title of nabob, set out with him for 
Moorshedabad. The forces of Meer Cossim were well 
disciplined and well armed; but they were worsted in 
several actions; and, enraged at his failure, he gave orders 
for the slaughter of his English prisoners. His forces, 
meanwhile, had again rallied, and once more he decided 
upon trying the fortunes of battle with his enemy. He 
was, however, overthrown, and his new capital fell into 
the hands of the English. An attempt was subsequently 
made upon Patna, in conjunction with the vizier of Oude. 
It failed, and the hostile forces met soon after in deadly 
conflict upon the field of Bnxar. !Not withstanding a 
serious mutiny of Sepoy troops, which threatened at one 
time to disconcert the English plans. Sir Hector Munro 
was able to administer to his adversary a defeat so con- 
clusive that the whole of Bengal fell into the hands of 
the company. The pride of the vizier of Oude was hum- 
bled; and the emperor was forced to crave the protection 
of the English. The hero of the campaign, Sir Hector 
Munro, resigned his command soon after the victory of 
Buxar. 

The parties in authority were determined to make the 
best of the advantage theii' troops had gained for them ^ 



tl* BI8T0BT OP INDIA. {gSAP. t. 

and -Lev . -. ^ ^ was accordingly compelled to scatter gold 
broadcast— i»o less than sixty millions being received in 
payment of individual claims. Many of the recipients, 
enriched be/ond measure, relinquished their offices, and 
returned to England to enjoy the fruits of their shameful 
extortions. The "return of the nabobs," as it is termed, is 
one of the greatest scandals of the age. The company, 
be it remembered, gained but little by these transactions; 
and, while the conduct of their officials must ever remain 
a lasting reproach to them, it was rather the result of a 
lax supervision than a wilful disregard of the calls of 
justice. Indeed they themselves were sufferers ; for, not 
only were they powerless to curb the excesses of their 
servants, but they had likewise the mortification of seeing 
their trade crippled by the private ventures of their un- 
ruly employes. 

Meer Jaffier was now dead; and his imbecile son, 
Nujum-ud-Dowlah, placed upon the throne, was a mere 
puppet in the hands of his English supporters. The 
affairs of Bengal were in a most unsatisfactory condition; 
and Clive, having made his mark as a man of far-seeing 
policy and inflexible purpose, despite the bitter opposi- 
tion of many and powerful enemies, was sent (1765) 
to effect a reformation in the company's affairs in this 
province. He was specially instructed to curb the insol- 
ence of their servants, who were fast becoming a power 
in Bengal. He came provided with the draft of a new 
covenant to be subscribed by them ; and he now insisted 
that every individual concerned should consent to obey 
its clauses under pain of instant dismissal. Private 
trading was at once abolished — a monopoly being granted 
to the company of the most important items of Indian 
commerce; while the revenues derived from customs con- 
tributed by the natives were henceforth to find their way 
into the company's treasury at Calcutta. 

The political affairs of the province received similar 
attention at his hands. The vizier, notwithstanding his 
defeat at Buxar, managed for a time to give trouble; but 
having, with his allies the Rohillas, sustained a severe 



1764-1767.1 IVENTS IN BENGAL, 91 

defeat at the hands of General Camac, his submission was 
now complete. Kelieved of all fear from this quarter, 
Olive was at liberty to enter into negotiations with the 
court of Delhi. The emperor was induced to resign the 
management of the revenues to the English— a privilege 
which made them virtual rulers of Bengal, Bahar, and 
Orissa; for the poor imbecile nabob, Nujum-ud-Dowlah, 
had no power to raise a voice against this interference 
with his authority. This concession, together with a 
grant of certain rights over the Northern Circars, enabled 
the company to carry out their new commercial regula- 
tions with greater facility. 

Clive now turned his attention to the army; and if the 
adjustmpjit of the commercial affairs was difficult, this 
reform in military matters was a still more perplexing 
business, inasmuch as the position of the English in India 
might easily be endangered by any false movement. But 
Clive was equal to the accomplishment of this as of every 
other task he set his hand to. He began by issuing 
regulations with regard to pay — a step which had the 
effect of sensibly curtailing the salaries both of officers 
and men. The scheme trenched upon a privilege which 
had been granted by Meer Jaffier, and a mutinous spirit 
was at once engendered. The officers memorialised the 
author of it, and appeared in arms to support their appli- 
cation. It was only by Olive's marvellous firmness, and 
the fidelity of the Sepoy regiments that serious conse- 
quences were averted. The suppression of this outbreak 
without bloodshed, and with such apparently inadequate 
means, has been regarded as the most brilliant transac- 
tion of his career. 

Olive would fain have lingered upon the theatre of his 
great military and civil exploits; but the climate was too 
much for his constitution; and, with regret, he set sail 
for England within a year of his landing in India. The 
pecuniary affaii^s of the Company, notwithstanding their 
privileges and their territorial acquisitions, were in a 
most unsatisfactory condition. The revenues of the pro- 
vinces ought to have been sufficient to secure them ample 



99 mnnonr of imdia* [chap. x. 

means; the imposts, howerer, were so badly collected, 
and peculation was carried on to so enormous an extent, 
that a deficit stood always in the place of a dividend. 
In this dilemma an appeal was made to government for 
a loan; and Parliament was convened unusually early to 
consider the application. The matter was referred to a 
select committee; and the gross mismanagement of the 
company's concerns was so patent that the ministry of 
Lord North determined to legislate on the subject; and 
a new bill was introduced which was to create a thorough 
revolution in Indian affairs. The company protested 
against the proceedings as an infraction of the terms of 
their charter; but public opinion was so strongly in 
favour of reform, that they had no alternative but to 
submit. A royal court was established by Act of Pa.*'- 
ment for the Bengal province, with a governor-general, 
who was to be subject to the ministry, at its head. The 
bill became law in 1773. It was about the same time, 
too, that Colonel Burgoyne brought forward his accusation 
against Olive touching the matter of the deposition and 
death of Suraj-ud-Dowlah. 

From the time of his setting foot in England this great, 
though sometimes erring man, had had to encounter the 
unrelenting enmity of his enemies ; but this was the first 
specific accusation made against him. The gist of the 
charge was that he had " abused the powers with which 
he was entrusted, to the evil example of servants of the 
company, and to the dishonour and detriment of the state;" 
and this celebrated man, whose wisdom had done so much 
to make his country great, was forced to defend his acts 
in the most public assembly in the world, and against 
some of the most eloquent declaimers of the age. Under 
the many and varied temptations with which his position 
was surrounded, he may not quite have forgotten self; but 
while, in seaman's parlance, he had given 07ie hand to 
his employers, it is questionable whether, in view of the 
enormous wealth that lay within his grasp, his own shai-e, 
magnificent as it undoubtedly was, could be represented , 
by more than a Jmger ; and posterity, iiurrounded by a 



1767-1774.] EVENTS nr bengal. 99 

calmer atmosphere, lias been inclined to condone his 
faults in the magnitude of his services, and, with him, 
" to wonder at his moderation." He was acquitted : but 
the treatment to which he had been subjected proved too 
much for a system already enfeebled by disease; and he 
perished, Nov. 1774, by his own hand. With his death, 
one of the greatest names — indeed the greatest name — ^in 
Indian history, vanishes from the scene. 

" In the awful close of so much prosperity and glory," 
says Macaulay, " the vulgar saw only a confirmation of 
all their prejudices; and some men of real piety and 
genius so far forgot the maxims both of religion and of 
philosophy as confidently to ascribe the mournful event 
to the just vengeance of God, and to the horrors of an 
evil conscience. It is with very different feelings that 
we contemplate the spectacle of a great mind ruined by 
the weariness of satiety, by the pangs of wounded honour^ 
hy fatal diseases, and more fatal remedl^'S.'' 



CHAPTER XI 

EVENTS IN MADRAS. 

Nuam Ally — Hyder Ally — Hyder becomes Soubadah or Nizam 
of the Deccan — Struggles for Possession of the Northern 
Circars — Nizam Ally refuses to give up the Province to the 
English—Alliance between Nizam Ally and Hyder — The 
Confederates worsted— The British obtain Possession of the 
Circars — Hyder's Indignation— His Success— Overtures to 
the French — Further Successes of Hyder — Treaty with 
Hyder — Hyder forsaken by his new Allies. 

Whil* events were thus progressing in Bengal, circum- 
stances of equally momentous character were enacting in 
other parts of the peninsula. Two characters at this time 
come prominently into notice, namely^ Nizam Ally and 
Hyder Ally, of whom it is necessary here, to the proper 
understanding of the position of affairs, to say a few 
words. 

The name of Nizam Ally occurs in a former chapter. 
Led on by an overweening ambition this prince had, in 
conjunction with his brother, Basalat Jung, wrested all 
authority from Salabat Jung, soubadah or nizam of the 
Deccan; and the good oflfices of M. Bussy, it will be 
remembered, had been solicited for the purpose of setting 
matters right. On this occasion the usurper was induced 
to resign the great seal, and to accept the government of 
Hyderabad. Here, having devised a plot for the assas- 
sination of the soubadah, he was compelled, upon its 
discovery, to flee for his life. By-and-bye, he became 
powerful enough to renew his seditious schemes. Defeat- 
ing the soubadah's forces under Janoojee Bhoslay, he 
regained possession of Hyderabad, and from this vantage 
ground he forced the soubadah to replace him in the 



17^] WnSSTB IN UADRAI. 95 

position he had before occupied. He subsequently took 
part in the nizam's wars with the Mahrattas, and was so 
successful as to recover the territories which this people 
had captured. Flushed with this success he now pro- 
ceeded to put into practice the scheme which he had so 
long contemplated; so, dethroning his brother, he put 
him to death, and declared himself soubadah of the 
Deccan. ^ 

Hyder Ally, one of the most remarkable men India 
ever produced, was the son of a chieftain of low position, 
and a Mohammedan. His great talent and conspicuous 
bravery had brought him under the notice of the My- 
Borean court; and, notwithstanding the disadvantage 
under which he laboured by reason of his religion, he 
had been invested with the proud title of general-in-chief 
of the Mysorean forces. In 1753, the 'Mahrattas invaded 
the country for the purpose of enforcing the payment of 
chouth, as it was termed, that is, one-fourth of the pro- 
duce of the land, which had been granted them in times 
gone by; and Hyder took the field against them. He 
was eminently successful; and when he had rid the 
country of these invaders, he employed his military 
talents in reducing and plundering various small states, 
thereby considerably extending the territory of his sove- 
reign the rajah. These successes gained him immense 
advantage; and he was able shortly to remove the first 
minister, and to take his place. This was an ungrateful 
act; for he had been his greatest friend at court; and it 
was his influence alone that had secured him the due 
reward of his talent; for the rajah, a weak-minded prince, 
had surrendered himself completely to his will. But 
gratitude seldom bars the way of ambition; and this, the 
ruling passion of Hyder, was further to betray itself iu 
the deposition of the rajah himself, and his seizure of the 
vacant throne. 

At the period wo are considering, then, Hyder Ally 
was rajah of Mysore, and Nizam Ally soubadah or nizam 
of the Deccan. Events were now about to happen 
which were to bring these sovereigns into collision with 



96 HI8T0BT OF IKDIA. [CHAP. XI. 

our countrymen, and to initiate in the one case a stmggle, 
whicli, considering its arduous character, its length, and 
its many vicissitudes, has scarcely a parallel in the annals 
of the country. 

The struggle was occasioned, in the first place, by a 
Jispute respecting the Northern Circars, a province lying 
between Orissa and the sea. The value of this territory 
to the Bengal council had long been apparent; and the 
authorities there had done their utmost to get possession 
of it. This province had originally been granted by Sala- 
bat Jung to M. Bussy by way of reward for services per- 
formed in his behalf. It had more recently been made 
over to the English by the emperor; but, as at the time 
of transfer it was in the possession of the nizam, who was 
independent of the court of Delhi, the gift was little more 
than nominal 

Nizam Ally, now called upon to execute the imperial 
will, gave an u* -compromising refusal. An accommoda- 
tion was, however, effected, and for a time the matter 
dropped. It was, by-and-bye, discovered that the nizam 
was carrying on an intrigue with Hyder Ally; and their 
forces were by agreement united for the purpose of 
coercing the English. Together they mustered a formid- 
able array ; and, when eventually they encountered 
Colonel Smith, who had been sent with a force of 7000 
men to operate agaiii«t them, the advantage of the con- 
test lay with them. The English commander, however, 
having rallied under .he walls of Trincomalee, the tide 
of success was turned, and they were overthrown with 
considerable loss. TLis victory was so decisive that 
Hyder's son, Tippoo, immediately retreated from before 
Madras, to which town he had laid siege; and the con- 
federates, being subsequently defeated in several minor 
engagements, Nizam Ally soon became weary of the con- 
test, and entered into negotiations with the English 
commander. 

Altogether, he had good reason for taking this step; 
for, to increase his embarrassment, an army had entered 
tb© Peccai> from Bengal, and was already within » short 



1761-1769.] XYBNT8 nr ICADRAt. 

distance of Hyderabad, his capital. The terms of 
treaty were less favourable to the English than mign 
have been expected, considering their success in the field. 
Possession of the Circars, with the exception of the dis- 
trict of Guntoor, was guaranteed to the English; and an 
offensive alliance between the contracting parties was 
entered into against Hyder Ally, who was forthwith pro- 
claimed a usurper, and his dominions declared forfeited. 

Now, it was a very easy matter to denounce their 
enemy; it was, however, quite another to depose him; 
and this the new allies soon found to their cost. The 
court of directors, whose views were adverse to an exten- 
sion of territory, were by no means pleased with the 
ofiensive alliance their servants had contracted with the 
nizam. But it was too late to recede. The proud spirit 
of Hyder had been thoroughly roused by the indignity; 
and he was as anxious as he was prepared to resent it. 
He commenced proceedings by advancing against Banga- 
lore; and, having captured it, he raised funds by means 
of the ransom demanded for the release of his numerous 
prisoners. The conduct of the war against Hyder was 
committed to Colonels Smith and Wood, who commenced 
operations in June 1768. The campaign opened favour- 
ably for the English; and Hyder, fearing lest the Mah- 
rattas should join his enemies, made overtures for peace. 
But the Madras council would not be satisfied with 
Hyder's proposals. Negotiations were therefore broken 
off, and the contest reopened in earnest. 

The progress of the war showed that the Madras 
authorities had most seriously underrated the ability and 
resources of their adversary, who, after having defeated 
Colonel "Wood at Oossoor, and recovered the fortresses o* 
which he had been earlier deprived, was on his way to 
Madras itself. So little prepared was the garrison for 
defence, that the council had no alternative but to treat 
with their triumphant enemy. There was, fortunately, 
little difficulty in opening negotiations; for the Mahrattaa 
seemed upon the point of casting in their lot with Hyder's 
enemies; and Hyder, as skilful a politiciaa as soldier- 

« 



98 BISTORT OF INDIA. [CHAP. XI. 

was not 80 presumptuous as tc hope for success against 
saxh a combination. If Hyder hated the English, he 
thoroughly despised the Mahrattas, and this he made no 
attempt to conceal. The business, however, was badly 
managed; and Hyder, annoyed at certain unfair treat- 
ment to which he had been subjected, struck southward 
— his head filled with another and a grander scheme. 



CHEPAiSTK VALA«5K. MADRAS. 

The peace of Fontainebleau, which, in 1763, closed the 
Seven Years* War in Europe, had restored to tho French 
their lost possessions in India. They had, accordingly^ 
notwithstanding the. protests of Clive and others, once 
more gained a footingan the peninsula; and Pondicheny, 
as of yore, was their head settlement. To M. Law, the 
French governor, Hyder now began to make overtures. 
Hyder, however, was not the man to place too firm a 
reliance upon allies; and he sought, therefore, to antici- 
pate the advantages of a French alliance by giving his 
enemies no rest. By skilful manoeuvring he drew Colonel 
Smith from the neighbourhood of Madras; and, after 
leading him a perplexing chase, arrived at St. Thome, a 
few miles from that city. The consternation within its 
walls was great^ for the garrison had been despatched to 



1769-1771.] BYENTB IIT 1CADBA8. 99 

operate against Hyder in the open country. The place, 
however, was spared the humiliation of surrender; for 
Hyder, contrary to all expectations, once more offered to 
negotiate. 

A treaty was concluded upon the basis of a mutual 
restitution of conquests, and an alliance, offensive and 
defensive, between the covenanting parties. The entire 
affair had been most disastrous to the English; who, in 
addition to a considerable pecuniary loss, had fallen 
materially in the estimation of the natives. And thus 
ended the second conflict with Hyder Ally. The treaty, 
in one of its provisions, was violated by the English 
shortly afterwards. No sooner were the terms of it rati- 
fied than Hyder, flushed with success, commenced war 
on the Mahrattas; and in this undertaking he was so 
thoroughly unfortunate that he was constrained to call 
upon the English to fulfil their engagement by sending 
him an English brigade. The Madras authorities were 
willing enough to do this; but their hands were now tied 
by the presence of an envoy from England, who forbade 
further hostilities. Hyder, thus abandoned by the Eng- 
lish, was miserably despoiled by his enemy. He never 
forgave the perfidy, and, as he termed it, cowardice of hk 
English alliefii 




CHAPTER Xn. 

ADMINISTRATION OP WARREN HASTINGS. 

Conspiracies — Disappointment of the Emperor — Departure of th« 
Mahrattas from the Doab — Betrayal of the Rohillas by the 
English — Withdrawal of the Emperor's Pension — Arrival of 
the Members of Council — Rearrangement with the Viziw~- 
Accusations against Hastings — Execution of Nuncomar. 

Warren Hastings entered upon his office as governor- 
general of Bengal in 1772. Events of great moment had 
of iate transpired in different corners of the peninsula, 
which furnished him with abundant employment. The 
great interest of this period seemed to centre upon 
Oude, where the game of plot and counterplot was pro- 
ceeding with unflagging zeal; the emperor, the vizier, the 
English, the Mahrattas, and E-ohillas, vieing with each 
other in the exhibition of their skill at chicanery and 
double-dealing. 

The Mahrattas, as was previously stated, had become 
a formidable power in Northern India; and the estima- 
tion in which they were held is exhibited in the overtures 
so often made by neighbouring states for their alliance. 
After the defeat of the confederates at Buxar in 1764, it 
will be remembered, Shah Allum, the titular emperor of 
Delhi, had ceded to the English the dewany or collector- 
ship of the revenues of Bengal and the neighbouring pro- 
vinces; and had received in return two small districts in 
the province of Oude. He had hoped that the English, 
to whom he had behaved so liberally, would have aided 
him, when opportunity should serve, in securing for Mm 
the substance as well as the shadow of dominion by plac- 
ing him upon the throne of Delhi. By-and-bye, disap- 



1771-1772.] ADMINISTRATION OP WARREN HASTINGS. 101 

pointed % his hopes of English support, he turned to the 
Mak».attMS, who, obedient to the call, overran. Rohilcund, 
took possession of Delhi, and, inviting him thither, esta- 
blished him upon the throne of his ancestors with all 'due 
ceremony. He soon, however, grew weary of the exac- 
tions of his benefactors, and was not slow in attempting 
to rid himself of their presence. In this he failed, and 
was compelled to purchase their forbearance by a present 
of the districts of Allahabad and Corah; of which, how- 
ever, they were unable to gain possession, inasmuch as 
they were held by an English army. 

Meanwhile, the Mahrattas were carrying on an intrigue 
with the vizier of Oude and his Afghan neighbours the 
Rohillas. ^ These latter, having gained possession of the 
Doab, a district situated between the Ganges and Jumna, 
suffered materially from the presence of the Mahrattas. 
Anxious to get rid of such undesirable neighbours, they 
determined to ally themselves with the vizier, Now, the 
vizier was ready to give his support to either party; for 
he envied the one, and hated both. This alliance, to- 
gether with the death of the peshwa, Mahdoo Eao, 
brought the Mahrattas to terms, and they shortly after 
withdrew. 

The Rohillas, however, were no gainers by their depar- 
ture; for the vizier had long had an eye upon their terri- 
tory; and there was nothing now to prevent his effecting 
its annexation beyond the opposition of the English. Even 
this difficulty was eventually removed; for Hastings, in 
consideration of the promise of forty lacs, both sanctioned 
the undertaking, and assisted in it. Rohilcund was 
invaded, and its defenders, after a brave resistance, over- 
powered, and treated with the utmost barbarity. In the 
words of Macaulay : " The horrors of Indian war were let 
loose on the fair valleys and cities of Eohilcund. The 
whole country was in a blaze. More than a himdred 
thousand people fled from their homes to pestilential 
jungles, preferring famine and fever, and the haunts of 
tigers, to the tyranny of him to whom an English and a 
Christian government had, for shameful lucre, sold theii' 



102 HISTORY OP INDIA. [CHAP. XII. 

substance, and their blood, and the honour of their wivei 
and daughters. 

"The finest population in India was subjected to a 
greedy, cowardly, cruel tyrant. Comm^erce and agricul- 
ture languished. The rich province which had tempted 
the cupidity of Sujah Dowlah became the most miserable 
part even of his miserable dominions. Yet is the injured 
nation not extinct. At long intervals gleams of its 
ancient spirit have flashed forth; and, even at this day, 
valour, and self-respect, and a chivalrous feeling rare 
among Asiatics, and a bitter remembrance of the great 
crime of England, distinguish that noble Afghan race." 
It is regarded on all hands as a treacherous and shameful 
deed; for the Rohillas had ever been well disposed 
towards the English; and it was, in the sequel, produc- 
tive of most unpleasant consequences. 

The alliance into which the emperor had entered with 
the Mahrattas at this time gave Hastings the pretext for 
witholding the pension which Clive had~^granted him in 
lieu of the revenues of Bengal. Both proceedings have 
been much commented upon. The only excuse to be 
offered is that of expediency. Hastings feared, or affected 
to fear, it seems, an offensive alliance with the Mahrattas 
against English influence in these quarters ; and he there- 
fore considered himself bound, in the interest of his 
employers, to adopt the best means at his command to 
secure the integrity of British territory. Whether these 
means were absolutely necessary or not must, notwith- 
standing the verdict of the highest tribunal of the land, 
remain a matter of opinion. 

Whatever we may think of the political honesty of 
Hastings, we cannot but admire his genius, neither can 
we withhold from him credit for the service he rendered 
his employers. The finances of the company had materi- 
ally improved under the vigorous administration of the 
governor. When he entered upon the duties of office 
the company was miserably in arrears, and its credit 
endangered. He had not been at the head of affairs 
more than a couple of years before its debts were liqui- 



1772-1776.] ADMINISTRATION OF WARREN- HASTINGS. 10^ 

dated, and its credit restored. However, therefore, we 
may deplore the means adopted, we cannot but pay 
tribute to his zeal as a public servant, and his ability as 
an administrator. 

Hitherto, Hastings had carried on the affairs of India 
unfettered. In the year 1774, the appointed members 
of council arrived from England. Their landing upon 
Indian soil portended troublous times. It would appear, 
indeed, as if the members of it had been selected on 
account of their enmity to the governor; for of the four 
councillors chosen, one only, Mr. Barwell, sided with 
him, the three others being invariably inimical. Dis- 
putes at the council board were of almost daily occur- 
rence; and so violent and persistent was the opposition 
to the governor that he is said to have tendered his resig- 
nation to the company. The Company, however, knowing 
his value, refused to accept it; and as Hastings had 
reason to regret the rashness which led him to take the 
step, he retained his position. 

The earliest measure of importance enacted by the new 
council was an alteration of the treaty made between the 
English and the vizier. Siijah-iid-Dowlah, with whom 
the bond had been formed, was dead; and the reins of 
government were in the hands of his son, Asof-ud-Dowlah. 
Him they caused to abrogate the treaty, by which it had 
been agreed to cede the provinces of Allahabad and Corah 
to the Mahrattas ; to make over the sacred city of Benares, 
with the district around it belonging to Cheyte Singh, to 
the English: and to promise an increase of the subsidy to 
their troops. The new vizier, however, through the sub- 
sequent action of the council, was deprived of the power 
to fulfil these new obligations; for they had supported 
the claims of the Begums (the mother and wife of the late 
nabob, the latter being the present nabob's moiAier) to 
the treasures of the deceased vizier, whereby his exchequer 
was seriously impoverished. His inability to meet his 
pecuniary engagements gave rise to a dangerous mutiny 
among the troops, the effects of which were felt in Oude 
and Bahar; and the life of Hastings was at one time m 



104 HISTORY OF INDIA. [CBAP. ZIl. 

imminent periL Petitions innumerable were presented 
against him, and he was accused of accepting bribes from 
the Begums. The accusation was not substantiated; and 
his accuser, Kuncomar, had to stand a trial for forger/. 
He was found guilty, and condemned to death. 

The accusations of Nuncomar, whether false or true, 
were preferred rather in a spirit of malevolence than of 
honest desire to compass the ends of justice. He had, 
during the time of Clive, been disappointed of the native 
government of Bengal, for which high office he had com- 
peted with Mahomet Keza Khan. An intriguing and 
unscrupulous man, he had endeavoured, by every possible 
means, to blacken the character of his rival, and thus 
procure his overthrow. He was so far successful that the 
Mussulman administrator was arrested and placed in con- 
finement. The accusations of Nuncomar were not con- 
sidered sufficient by Hastings to establish the imprisoned 
governor's guilt j and, to the chagrin of his enemy, he 
was acquitted. 

JTi'om that time forward Hastings had no more invete- 
rate enemy than Nuncomar; and when, at length, the 
unpopularity of the governor presented him with a 
favourable opportunity for gratifying his malignant 
passion, he came forward with a string of the most 
serious charges against him. At first his triumph ap- 
peared complete. The majority of the council were in 
his favour; the- outcry in London was loud against his 
enemy; and some of the wealthiest men of the province 
not only supported his accusations, but brought forward 
charges of a similar nature. 

The great administrator, though astounded at the array 
his enemies had marshalled against him, was by no 
means disconcerted. With characteristic boldness he 
procured the arrest of Nuncomar, who, to the surprise 
of every one, was brought to trial upon a charge of 
forgery. He was condemned; and sentence of death was 
passed upon him by the chief-justice. Sir Elijah Impey. 

The most strenuous exertions were of course made by 
Kuncomar's supporters to bring about a respite; but the 



1776. ADMi^ISTRATION OF VAERSN HASTINGS. 105 

oMef-justioe was inexorable; and Nuncomar, the head of 
the Brahminical race and religion, was brought out to 
die a felon's death upon the scaffold. His conduct, mag- 
nanimous in the highest degree, redeems in a measure hia 
sinful life. "Not a muscle of his face moved," saya 
Macaulay. "Not a sigh broke from him. He put his finger 
to his forehead, and calmly said that fate would have its 
way, and that there was no resisting the pleasure of God. 
• . . The moment that the drop fell a howl of sorrow 
and despair rose from the innumerable spectators. Hun- 
dreds turned their faces from the polluting sight, fled 
with loud wailings towards the Hooghley, and plunged 
into its holy waters, as if to purify themselves from the 
guilt of having looked on such a crime." It had been in 
the power of Hastings to rescue this man from the con- 
sequences of his condemnation. He made no attempt to 
do so ; and the odium attaches to him of having employed 
the judge — his fast friend — in furthering his malicious 
ends. / His connection with this transaction fori^ed on© 
of the articles of bis jwemorable impeachment. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

FIRST MAHRATTA WAR. 

Ambitious Scliemes of Ruglioba — Forms an Alliance with tlie 
Englisli — Capture of Bassein by tlie English — Negotiations 
with the Mahratta Ministry — Conclusion of a Treaty — The 
Treaty abrogated by the Bombay Council — Colonel God- 
dard's Famous March — Successes of the English — Treaty 
of Bassein, and Termination of the War. 

It will be remembered that, during the Mahratta occu- 
pation of the Doab, the peshwa, Mahdoo Rao, died. The 
event caused much confusion in the Mahratta state; and 
the newly appointed peshwa fell a victim to the arts of 
Rughoba, his uncle. This man now assumed the duties 
of government; but he considered his tenure to be so 
insecure that he entered into negotiation with Hyder 
Ally with the view of securing his support. So far, how- 
ever, from gaining by this step, his influence at once 
began to wane; and the posthumous infant of Mahdoo 
Rao received the due homage of his people. He now 
sought new alliances, and made overtures first to Holkar 
and Sindia, two Mahratta chieftains famous in Indian 
story, and then to the English government at Bombay. 

The advances of Rughoba were highly acceptable to 
the English, for they were then contemplating a scheme 
which the good will of Rughoba, as head of the Mahratta 
state, would materially assist them to accomplish. Sal- 
sette, in the harbour of Bombay, the island on which the 
town is situated, was at the time in the hands of the 
Mahrattas; and it was known to the authorities of Bom- 
bay that the Portuguese, to whom it had originally 
belonged, were bent on attempting its recovery. The 



FIRST MAHRATTA WAR. lOT 

now requii'ed, as the price of their aid, the 
the island to them, together with Bassein and 
places in its vicinity. E-ughoba refused at first to 
make any such grant; but, at length, alarmed at the 
defection of Sindia and Holkar, he ultimately agreed to 
the terms proposed. The aid of the English was there- 
ibre promised. In the meantime Rughoba's assent had 
been forestalled.; for, in spite of the protests of the Por- 
tuguese, the forts had been stormed and taken. Thia 
alliance with Rughoba originated the long and arduous 
conflict known as the First Mahratta War (1772.) 

The Mahratta state ministers of course viewed this 
treaty with Rughoba in the light of a declaration of 
hostilities, and forthwith moved to attack their combined 
forces. Thej^, however, -met with no success; and the 
cause of Rughoba, supported as it was by British 
bayonets, looked hopeful enough, when his enemies found 
an unexpected ally in the Council of Bengal, who, entirely 
disapproving of the convention, sent an envoy to Poonah, 
the ministerial capital, to order a suspension of hostilities. 
The haughtiness of the Mahratta ministers, who de- 
manded the surrender of Rughoba's person, imperilled 
the success of the negotiations; and their conduct finally, 
in treating with a French envoy, caused the entire matter 
to fall through. The negotiations were broken off, and 
the alliance with Rughoba continued. 

The step thus taken by the Mahratta ministry had, of 
course, given equal ofience to the authorities of Calcutta; 
and the governor at once determined to support the Bom- 
bay forces. An expedition was despatched thence to the 
seat of war under Colonel Leslie; but, owing to the luke- 
warmness of Rughoba's Mahratta partisans, little progress 
was made. Meanwhile, the Bombay government itself, 
which hitherto had been exceedingly dilatory, had be- 
stirred itself, and troops were already on their way 
towards Poonah. The Mahrattas, however, were in strong 
force; and their progress was, therefore, necessarily slow. 
Arrived at Tullegaon, their situation appeared so critical 
that it was proposed to retreat It was too late; for, 



108 fllSTORT OP INDIA. [CHAP. XIII» 

completely hemmed in by the troops oi the enemy eA 
Wurgaom, there was no course left them but to nego- 
tiate. The terms were, under the circumstances, highly 
favourable to the English, who, however, by their failure, 
lost much of that prestige which was so valuable in these 
struggles. 

The authors of this convention of Wurgaom were dis- 
missed, and the treaty itself ignored by the Bombay 
council; while the Bengal government were more than 
ever determined to push forward their scheme of co-opera- 
tion with their brethren of Bombay. Colonel Leslie was 
superseded by Colonel Goddard, who now undertook the 
most interesting march that had as yet been accomplished 
upon the soil of India. His road lay through a hostile 
territory; and with great difficulty it was that he made 
his way, at one time fighting, at another negotiating, 
until he arrived safely at Surat, three months after his 
departure from the banks of the Jumna. Hastings had 
joined with the Bombay council in rejecting the conven- 
tion of Wurgaom, and a new one was now set on foot; 
but Nana Furnawees, the Mahratta chief minister, in- 
sisted upon the surrender of Bughoba, and the restoration 
of Salsette to the Portuguese. 

Such terms were, of course, inadmissible. Negotia- 
tions were consequently discontinued, and preparations 
made for a renewal of the war. Operations began with 
the capture of Ahmedabad, when the district of Guzerat 
was occupied by English troops. The Mahratta leaders, 
Holkar and Sindia, on their part, took the field with 
20,000 men— the latter reluctantly, for he had ever been 
favourably inclined towards the English. Goddard, the 
general opposed to them, could make but little impression 
upon his enemy. Indeed, so hardly pressed were the 
English troops by the overwhelming numbers of the 
Mahratta horse, that it was found necessary to open a 
campaign elsewhere. Captain Popham was accordingly 
despatched with an army to operate in Bundelcund. G^e 
strong fortress of Gwalior fell into his hands; and the 
campaign, which terminated with its capture, was siogu- 



1779-1782.] FIRST MAHRATle WAB. 109 

larly effective, inasmuch as it caused tlie withdrawal of 
the forces of the Mahratta chieftains from Guzerat. 

Next year, 1780, Basseia was besieged by the Bom- 
bay army; and, after a long investment, this almost im- 
pregnable fortress fell. A considerable Mahratta force 
was about the same time defeated by Colonel Hartley; 
and the Bengal and Bombay forces, at last united, were 
ready either for an active prosecution of the war, or to 
negotiate an advantageous treaty. They rather inclined 
to the latter course, because war had again broken out 
between the Madras government and Hyder Ally; and a 
league between him, Nizam Ally, and the Mahrattas, was 
an extremely probable event. 

Nevertheless the war progressed; for the Bengal gov- 
ernment did not care to make advances in the directiou 
of peace, but rather to force their opponents to do so. 
The contest was marked by many vicissitudes, and the 
British forces were often so hardly pressed, by reason of 
the numbers of their enemy, that it required the most 
Bkilful generalship to enable them to maintain a position 
in the field. At length, the action of Sindia relieved the 
governor from further apprehension of disaster, and at 
the same time spared him what he would have considered 
the disgrace of initiating a peace, by entering into nego- 
tiations with his opponent. Colonel Muir. Through the 
good offices of Moodajee Bhoslay, nabob of Berar, whose 
neutrality had been secured by the payment of thirteen 
lacs of rupees, a treaty was concluded at Saibye between 
the English and Sindia, and, through him, with the Mah- 
ratta nation. May 1782. This treaty provided a pension 
for Bughoba, who was permitted to reside where he 
pleased; while he on his part restored to the English the 
conquests of Hyder Ally from them and the nabob of 
Arcot. Altogether this first Mahratta war, though an 
unfruitful, was a brilliant and honourable one. 



.CHAPTER XIV 

(BECOND WAR WITH HYDER ALLY. 

larations of Hyder Ally — His Forces — His Succf^.sses- Dp»^ 
rations of Colonei» Ooote — Hyder joined by the Fr ^ch — 
Sudden death of Hyder; he is succeeded by his son T'ppoo — • 
Tippoo deserved by the French makes Peace with the English 
^Genius displayed by Hastings — Cheyte Singh — Impeach- 
ment of Hastings — His Trial and Acquittal — Macaulay'a 
Peroration. 

Xt was intimated in the last chapter that an apprehended 
alliance between Hyder, the nizam, and the Mahratta?:^ 
was among the considerations that induced Hastings to 
come bo terms with his enemies. Hyder had never for- 
given the English the evasion of the treaty of Madras. 
He had, indeed, amply recouped himself for the losses 
their defection had caused him; for, by a successful war- 
fare with the Mahrattas, he had recovered all he had 
previously been compelled to cede to them, and had 
pushed his northern boundary to the banks of the Kistna; 
whilst the action of the emperor, who, it was believed 
had made over to him the whole of the Deccan, had driven 
the nizam to seek alliance with his Mahratta neighbours^ 
and to court the forbearance of Hyd^. 

To the remembrance of past wrongs was now added the 
sting of a recent insult. The English had, notwithstand- 
ing his remonstrances, wrested Nangore from the Dutch, 
who held the settlement by a guarantee from him, and 
had likewise attacked and taken Mahe, the only posses- 
sion of the Erench in India. This measure they followed 
up by assigning, against his will, a body-guard of British 
ioldiers to Basalat Jnng, the unruly brother of the nizam. 



1780-1781.] SECOND WAR WITH HYDER ALLY. Ill 

This latter act drove Hyder and the nizam into alliance, 
and induced the former to listen to the overtures of the 
Mahrattas. 

But Hyder had done more than contract alliances: he 
had zealously prepared for war; and he was consequenjjly 
able to pour 100,000 well provided and well disciplined 
troops into the field (1780). And now the pet project of 
years, namely, the destruction of the English power in 
the Carnatic, the humbling the pride of the Mahrattas, 
and the extension of the Mysorean dominions to the 
Vindhya Hills, which must of necessity follow, appeared 
to him upon the eve of accomplishment. 

The Madras government, meanwhile, seemed to be 
smitten with judicial blindness. Hyder was left totally 
unopposed; and, amid the smoke of burning villages, he 
made his way towards the presidency. By-and-bye, the 
forces at their command were despatched against their for- 
midable adversary; but they were so few, and so badly 
supported, that they experienced nothing but disaster; aij-' 
a miserable remnant, indeed, eventual Y found safety lE 
retreat to St, Thomas's Mount. In this campaign, Sir 
Hector Munro forfeited the high reputation he had pre- 
viously gained as a military leader. The Western Car- 
natic was for the present lost to the English; and Hyder, 
intoxicated with success, commemorated his achievements 
by appropriate paintings, which he caused to be placed 
upon the walls of his palace at Seringapatam. 

Hastings, as soon as he heard of the disasters that had 
befallen the Madras forces, notwithstanding his engage- 
ment with the Mahrattas, despatched Colonel Coote with 
what troops he could spare to co-operate with his coun- 
trymen in the Carnatic. Arcot had fallen; but Wandi- 
wash, which had sustained a long and trying siege, still 
held out, and Coote hastened to its relief. In order to 
secure sufficient supplies, he had taken up a position upon 
the coast at Cuddalore; and hither Hyder now marched to 
attack him. Colonel Coote, on his return to headquarters, 
attacked Hyder's position, and after an obstinate struggle 
«»ucceeeded in carrying it. Several minor engagement* 



lis BIBTOSr OF IHDIA. {OHa? . XIV; 

subsequently took place, notably at Tripasore and Sbolin- 
ghur, of which Coote, though victorious, was, however 
unable to reap any advantage, and the campaign of 178^ 
closed. 

"War had broken out anew between England and 
France (1778); and this was the signal for renewed war- 
fare between these nations in Iiiri'<*,. By the treaty of 
Fontainebleau, it will be remei&i- I'ed, the French were 
admitted to Pondicherry and the other settlements of 
which they had been deprived. They retained possession 
of them only so long as peace existed between the two 
countries; for the dissolution of friendly bonds was no 
sooner kno^rn in India than they were quickly deprivec^ 
of them ag'.In. Reinforced from Europe, they now made 
common o,-va39 with Hyder, whose army, under his gallant 
son Tippc ;, had lately gained some advantages over the 
English. The outlook was now somewhat gloomy iof 
our countrymen; and the horizoi* was further dimmed by 
the retir3ment of the gallant Coote through ill health, 
and by the ill success of the fleet which had been sent to 
bar the landing of reinforcements for the French, com- 
manded by the veteran Biissy. 

In December 1782, Hyder Ally died somewhat sud- 
denly in camp. He had reached the utmost span allotted 
to morjals, and now succumbed to the united effects 
of age, over-exertion, and an enervating malady. The 
mantle of this, in every way, perhaps, the most remark- 
able man that India has produced, descended upon his 
son Tippoo, who ably endeavoured to carry out his 
father's designs, and pursued an energetic and uncom- 
promising warfare with Hyder's enemies for a weary 
seventeen years. 

The English had now, therefore, to face the army of 
Mysore and the French forces under M. Biissy; and it 
was really nothing but their superiority at sea and the 
brilliant talent of Hastings, that enabled them to with- 
stand such a combination. Tippoo had withdrawn to 
the Camatio to be able better to defend his dominions 
«gainst the Mahratt'«s, who had now made peace with tha 



1780-1781.] SECOND WAR WITH HYDEB ALLY. IIS 

English; and Bussy, receiving no reinforcements teak 
ward, was unable to form a junction with his Mysorean 
ally. He had taken possession of Cuddalore, of which 
Hyder had previously deprived the English; and beneath 
its walls a sanguinary engagement took place between the 
French forces and those of the English general, Stuart. 
It is difficult to see what might have been the upshot of 
the struggle, had not the conclusion of a peace put a 
summary end to it. 

The treaty of Yersailles deprived Tippoo of French 
aid, and the Europeans in his service > «^ 3L3 with- 
drawn. He had, however, sufficient self-ccnfi "nee to in- 
duce him to continue the contest single-Landea He had 
been operating in the west against the Bombay general, 
Matthews, and with some success, recapturing the fortress 
of Bednore previously taken by the gallantry of a regi- 
ment of Highlanders, and reducing the fortress of Man- 
galore. He had, notwithstanding, experienced some losses; 
and, a formidable English army having advanced to the 
confines of his dominions, he was, by these untoward 
circumstances, induced to listen to the overtures of Lord 
Macartney for a truce. 

This truce proved to be the preliminary to a peace humi- 
liating to the English, and reflecting the very greatest dis- 
credit upon the Ma ^ras authorities, who were the managers 
of it. Every advantage their generals had gained theu" 
was foolishly cast to tlie winds, and they chose to appear 
•as supplicants when they might have negotiated on at 
least equal terms. The wily Tippoo was not backward 
in taking advantage of his enemy's pusilanimity. He 
blazed abroad the triumphant success of his arms, treated 
the envoys with the utmost disdain, and, ai^ecting to yield 
to the entreaties of his friends, haughtily p.'anted tenng 
which secured to the English nothing more than the 
^ and of Salsette, and the release of their imprisoned 
countrymen. 

The wars with Hyder Ally and Tippoo had therefore 
leen anything but creditable to British arms. Yet, when 
ire come to consider the varied combinations against mm, 

H 



114 BISTORT or INDU. [CHAP. ZIV. 

and the character of the enemies with whom our country- 
men had had to deal, we shall have to wonder that a 
single British soldier was left alive upon the soil of India. 
To the far-seeing policy and undaunted energy of Hast- 
ings, more than to any other cause, the immunity from 
such a national calamity is attributable; and we who, as 
Englishmen, make it our proud boast that the sun never 
sets upon the empire of our sovereign, will do well to 
remember the man to whose genius we owe the preserva- 
tion of this, the brightest jewel in the diadem of England. 

The career of this great man was now about to close. 
He had, previously to the conclusion of the Mysorean war, 
tendered his resignation; for certain of his acts had been 
80 mercilessly criticised at home, that he was in danger 
of incurring the disgrace of dismissal. Some of these 
acts — as the betrayal of the Kohillas, and the judicial 
murder of Nuncomar, have received special mention; his 
dealings with Cheyte Singh, and the affair of the Begums, 
remain to be noticed. 

The heavy expenses attending tho late wars were ex- 
tremely embarrassing to the Indian Exchequer; and 
jriLastings had begun to cast about him for means of 
supply. His eyes turned towards Cheyte Singh, the 
//ealthy Rajah of Benares, and this prince was his first 
victim. Benares was at this time one of the wealthiest, 
most populous, and, withal, most sacred of the cities of 
India. This prosperous place had long been under the 
rule of a rajah, who, in times gone by, had rendered 
homage, like the other Hindu princes of the Mohammedan 
empire, to the Great Mogul. The collapse of the Moham- 
medan empire left the lords of Benares independent; and, 
to escape the domination of the Vizier of Oude, they had 
placed themselves under the protection of the English. 
The Rajah of Benares henceforth became a vassal of the 
Bengal government, and engaged to pay an annual tribute 
of twenty-two lacs into the treasury of Calcutta. 

So matters proceeded till the year 1778, when Hastings, 
having an eye to the excessive wealth of the rajah, called 
upon him for an additional contribution. Further do* 



1780-1781.] SECOND WAB WITH HTDER ALLY, 115 

mands of a similar nature continued to be made, which 
the rajah paid, though with reluctance. Tl^e sums thus 
demanded, however, were utterly inadequate to meet the 
needs of the governor, who soon contemplated the confis- 
cation of his entire treasure. To procure the surrender 
of this, Hastings made such a demand upon the rajah aq 
he could not in honour grant; and, when he refused to 
comply, the governor ordered him to be arrested and 
placed in the custody of his sepoys. 

These high-handed proceedings roused the hardy sub- 
jects of Cheyte Singh to the highest pitch of indignation. 
A tumult occurred in the streets of Benares, in which 
the handful of sepoys attendant upon the governor were 
butchered, and^he life of Hastings — who had come to 
Benares to treat with the rajah — placed in the greatest 
jeopardy. The insurrection spread for miles round, and 
the hopes of Cheyte Singh, who during the tumult had 
escaped confinement, rose so high that he began to talk 
mighty things. Both he and his supporters, however, 
had miscalculated the resources of Hastings, whose 
genius was never more brilliantly displayed than when 
surrounded by perplexities. With consummate skill he 
managed to fill the province with troops. The rajah's 
supporters were put to route, his strongholds taken, and 
he himself in despair fled from the city. Benares now 
passed into the hands of the British. The treasure found 
in the coffers of the deposed rajah did not equal Hastings' 
expectations; and as, by mistake, a great portion of this 
was distributed as prize-money, little immediate gain 
accrued from the proceeding; but Hastings secured 
thereby an ill name, which, justly or not, will cleave to 
him for ever. 

Hastings' next transaction was with the Begums of 
Oude, as certain princesses of the vizier's house were 
named. It has already been remarked that, by the deci- 
sion of the council, a large portion of the state treasure 
had been reserved for their independent use; and Hasting* 
now, actuated by the same motive that had led him to 
despoil the Bajah of Benares, entered into a compact 



lit BISTORT OP INDIA. [CfEAP. SIT. 

-with Asuf-ud-Dowlah, the nabob-vizier, to extort laci 
from the princesses. 

The vizier, upon reflection, regretted the step he had 
taken; and it was only under pressure that he could b< 
brought to execute his part of the '' treaty of Chunar" as it 
was called. The lands of the Begums were, however, 
seized; and, as the private treasure could not be obtained 
without force, the princesses were held in durance in their 
stately prison at Fyzabad. They and their attendants 
were treated with great severity — more especially two 
eunuchs who had held high place under the late vizier 
Sujah Dowlah, and who, after his death superintended the 
aftairs of the household of his widow. These poor crea- 
tures were imprisoned, placed in irons, starved, and cruelly 
tortured, till the hearts of the Begums were melted to 
pity by the tales of their afflictions^ and they were at 
length induced to purchase a mitigation of theii- sufferings, 
and by-and-bye their liberty, by the surrender of one and 
a quarter millions sterling, or nearly half their reputed 
wealth. Such transactions as these furnished fresh themes 
for the animadversions of his enemies both at home and 
in India. 

The outcry against him had, indeed, become so general 
that he at length gave way to the pressure and resigned. 
His successor, Mr. Macpherson, having arrived, he em- 
barked for England, where he was received with a spirit 
that seemed to be a protest against the action of his foes. 
He was, however, impeached (Feb. 1788) at the bar of 
the House of Lords on various charges of injustice, 
cruelty, and oppression towards the natives of India. 
The tria.1 began in 1788. The case for the Commons was 
sustained by the most brilliant orators of the time — 
Burke, Fox, Sheridan, and others; while the accused was 
defended by Mr. Law — afterwards the famous Lord 
EUenborough. The case which, at the outset, was the 
principal feature of the times, dragged on a weary length 
of nine years. The public had long grown tired of it; 
*nd the accused — whether rightly or wrongly, had come 
to be regarded as the martyr of a factious coterie. Other 



1780-1781.] 8B0QND WAB WITH RTDEB AU.T. 11/ 

events, too, bad transpired to engross the public attention; 
and it was considered a manifest relief to all parties when, 
on the 23rd April 1795, the trial terminated with a 
verdict of acquittal. 

In taking leave of this illustrious man, we cannot 
refrain from quoting the eloquent panegyiic with which 
his great essayist closes the chapter of his history : — "With 
all his faults — ^and they were neither few nor small — only 
one cemetery was worthy to contain his remains. In that 
temple of silence and reconciliation where the enmities 
of twenty generations lie buried, in the great abbey which 
has during many ages afforded a quiet resting-place to 
those whose minds and bodies have been shattered by the 
contentions of the great hall, the dust of the illustrious 
accused should have mingled with the dust of the illus- 
trious accusers. This was not to be. Yet the place of 
interment was not ill chosen. Behind the chancel of the 
parish church of Baylesford, in earth which already held 
the bones of many chiefs of the house of Hastings, was 
laid the coffin of the greatest man who has ever borne 
that ancient and widely-extended name. On that very 
spot probably, fourscore years before, the little Warren, 
meanly clad and scantily fed, had played with the children 
of ploughmen. Even then his young mind had resolved 
plans which might be called romantic. Yet, however 
romantic, it is not likely that they had been so strange as 
the truth. Not only had the poor orphan retrieved the 
fallen fortunes of his line. Not only had he repurchased 
the old lands, and rebuilt the old dwelling. He had pre- 
served and extended an empire. He had founded a 
polity. He had administered government and war with 
more than the capacity of Hichelieu. He had patronised 
learning with the judicious liberality of Cosmo. He had 
been attacked by the most formidable combination of 
enemies that ever sought the destruction of a victim; and 
over that combination, after a struggle of ten years, he 
had triumphed. He had at length gone down to his grave 
in the fulness of age, in peace, after so many troubles; in 
honoiuv after so mueh obloqu/.* 



CHAPTER XV. 

ADMINISTRATION OF LORD CORNWALLIS. 

Changes in the Company's Government — Mr. Fox's Proposal- 
Pitt's India Bill — The Marquis Cornwallis the First Governor- 
general — His Reforms — Hostility of Tippoo — Campaign of 
General Medows — Cornwallis' Campaign — Battle of Arikera 
— Treaty with Tippoo — Reform of the Land-tenure — ^The 
Revenue. 

Previous to the retirement of Hastings from the head 
of affairs at Calcutta, certain important changes had taken 
place in the machinery of the Company's governilaent. 
The concerns of India had begun to assume such collossal 
proportions, and had become so mixed up with the honour 
and welfare of the nation, that the prosperity of their 
administration by a single company, although controlled 
in a measure by the operation of the Act of 1772^ was a 
subject of grave consideration. The corruption z.^a. greed 
of the officials had long been matter for criticism; and 
fio'm a consideration of the subordinate, the public mind 
had been naturall}'- 'arawn to a contemplation of the 
principals; so that the status of the Company was liow 
prettv freely discussed. It was the opinion of many, 
that for a private institution, the Company was becoming 
too powerful. 

It is true that, owing to peculation, extravagance, mis- 
management, and the opposition of powerful princes, their 
finances were not in a satisfactory condition; but a vast 
field was, nevertheless, open to them; and they were in a 
fair way of becoming possessed of a dominion, which, in 
its extent and resources, found no equal in the foreign 
possessions of their own or any other sovereign. The 
Court of Directors had certainly taken steps, from time 
to time, to limit the area of their dominion, and had 
issued orders to the coiiiwils forbidding an axtension of 



1781-1792.] LOUD OOBNWALLTfi^ ADMINISTftATtOK lit 

the territory; but this was too often interpreted to signify 
nothing more than a desire that no further burdens should 
be added to an exhausted exchequer; and that no new un- 
dertaking should be set on foot that did not promise imme' 
diate profit; and so the process of territorial enlargement 
went forward. 

On the renewal of the Company's charter in 1781, 
they were required to pay an annual sum of £400,000 
to the natiouy^ and to be content with a dividend of eight 
per cent. This alteration in the Company's tenure was 
followed up by a course of vigorous legislation. Down 
to this time, the affairs of India had been conducted by a 
Court of Directors, who were responsible to a Court of 
Proprietors of India stock alone. The imperial govern- 
ment had no hand in their concerns, except such as the 
Act of 1772 had secured them. The first to undertake a 
reform, was Mr. Fox, who, in 1783, proposed that the 
government of India should be administered by the Com- 
pany. The courts above mentioned were to be abolished, 
and in their stead a board of seven commissioners fornjied, 
who were to have the appointment of the Company's 
servants, they themselves being removable only by the 
sovereign in an address from either house. The scheme wag 
considered revolutionary, and was rejected by the Lords. 

Mr. Pitt now brought in the famous bill which bears 
his name. This measure, though differing materially in 
form from that of his rival, closely resembled it in essence. 
The present courts, with some modifications of their 
machinery, were to be retained with nearly their ancient 
authority; but, in addition to these, a third was estab- 
lished, consisting of a chief commissioner appointed by 
the crown, the chancellor of the exchequer, and others. 
This was known as the Board of Control The duty of 
the board was to supervise and sanction the entire Com- 
pany's proceedings. Its establishment is the chief feature 
of Pitt's measure. 

The first governor-general appointed under the new 
system was tb«» Marquis Cornwallis, a name celebrated in 
ike annals of the western world as one of the chief oom^ 



120 BISTORT OF nn>u« [chap. XV. 

manders in the American War of Independence (1786). 
He may be regarded as the successor to Warren Hastings, 
as Mr. Macpherson's administration was merely a tem- 
porary arrangement. His administration, which altogether 
lasted six years, embraces one of the most eventful periods 
of the history. 

The policy of Lord Comwallis was decidedly pacific; 
indeed, he had gone out with strict injunctions from his 
employers to avoid further contests. This policy he was 
able to follow for three years of his administration only; 
for, unfortunately for the maintenance of peace, he had 
fallen upon stirring times; and the ever restless Tippoo, 
a man of war from his youth, ambitious beyond measure, 
owning a vast and well-disciplined army, and flushed with 
recent triumphs, had every incentive to disturb the peace 
of the peninsula. 

During the era of quiet above referred to, the energies 
of the new governor had been seriously directed towards 
the correction of abuses — in the course of which he dis- 
played a generous anxiety to do justice to the natives, 
and to defend the weak against the tyranny of the strong. 
His political wisdom, however, though of a high order, was 
not faultless; and he committed one grave error which 
rendered the latter portion of his administration a turbulent 
contrast to its earlier years. In settling the afiairs of the 
nizam, he managed to give offence to Tippoo; and this 
restless prince, burning, as his father had done, to humble 
the English, and so clear the way for the furtherance of 
his schemes of conquest and aggrandisement, was not 
slow in exhibiting his resentment. H*^ %und a pretext 
for hostilities in the action of the ^^ah of Travancore. 
This prince had lately purchased the coast towns of Cran- 
ganore and Ayacotta from the Dutch. Tippoo, however, 
claimed them as the property of his ally, the E-ajah of 
Cochin, and demanded their surrender. Travancore was 
at this time under the protection of the English ; and the 
Madras government was bound to oppose his demand. 
As, however, it hesitated to act, Lord Cornwallis, seeing 
tbe danger of delay, resolved to take the matter up him- 



17814701] I«OED COBNWALLIS* ADMIKISTBATIOIT. 121 

aelf ; for Tippoo, bent on war, was already in the field. 
Comwallis at once accepted an offer of alliance made to 
him by Nana Furnawees, the Mahratta chieftain, who 
had equal cause with the nizam to dread the ambition of 
their restless neighbour. 

Operations were commenced in the summer of 1790, 
but the campaign has little interest. The allies under 
General Medows, at first successful, were smartly checked 
by their antagonist in their attempt to force the passes of 
the Ghauts. The territory of Tra,vancore, however, was 
secured from invasion, and a few other trifling ud vantages 
were gained by the English. 

Dissatisfied at the general results, however, Lord Com- 
wallis himself now took the command, and the campaign 
of 1791 opened favourably indeed for the allies. Thfc 
passes were captured, and the army of the governor now 
upon the plateau of Mysore had no natural obstacle to 
impede their progress. Bangalore was stormed and carried 
with great gallantry; and Cornwallis being joined by the 
nizam's army, turned westward towards Tippoo's capital 
of Seringapatam, in which neighbourhood Tippoo, having, 
as was his wont, studiously avoided general engagements, 
had concentrated his forces. The hostile, armies met at 
Arikera. Tippoo was defeated; but the British general, 
unable from failure of supr'*^, to continue operations, 
withdrew to Bangalore. 

The reduction of some mountain fortresses kept the 
troops employed for a while; and by-and-bye (1792) Com- 
wallis, having completed his preparations, moved once 
more towards Seringapatam. This stronghold was literally 
surrounded by the allies; and Tippoo, perceiving his 
danger, decided upon opening negotiations with the 
English governor. With great difficulty a treaty was 
concluded by which Tippoo surrendered half his territory 
to the allies, and consented to pay a large sum towards 
the expenses of the war. The maritime province of 
Malabar was, by this treaty, made over to the English. 

Relieved at length from all anxiety with regard to the 
ambition of Tippoo, Lord Comwallis was at liberty to 



W filStORt Of INDIA. [CHAF. Xt, 

carry out those changes in the administration for wbicb, 
rather than his military undertakings, he is especially 
selebrated. Of these, the reform of the land-tenure in 
Bengal holds the foremost place. The change was as 
follows. The revenues of the various provinces of the 
dominions of the Moguls, their details and method of 
collection, had been settled before the Company had 
initiated that policy of conquest which by-and-bye was to 
transfer them to their management. Up to the year 
1761, the Company had had no hand in this; when, 
however, at the present date, the dewany or financial 
management of Bengal was surrendered to the English 
by the Emperor of Delhi, the duties of adjustment and 
collection naturally passed into their hands. 

No change was then effected either in their incidents or 
method of collection — the tenures remaining as previously 
fixed, and the taxes being collected and paid in the 
usual manner by ofiicials termed zemindars. Many and 
great changes had necessarily taken place since at the com- 
mand of Akbar, the survey and valuation of lands had 
been made; and the new proprietors were not blind to 
the necessity of a readjustment. It was, however, 
deemed inexpedient to make any alterations, and so 
matters went on as they had been wont to do, till the 
period of Lord Cornwall is' appointment to the governor- 
generalship, when the directors drew attention to the 
irregularities of the system, and Cornwallis was instructed 
to deal with the subject. 

His plan was to vest the property of the soil in the 
zemindars. It was a question as to whom the lands 
belonged. Some contended that they were the property 
of the state; others, of the people. Cornwallis and his 
council inclined to the latter opinion. Their measure, 
however, was a compromise, inasmuch as, instead of be- 
stowing them upon the cultivators, they made them over 
in perpetuity to the zemindars, to whom they had ever 
been accustomed to look for the revenues accruing there- 
from. The zemindars were to be responsible still for the 
payments; and the cultivation of the land was provided 



1^81-1792.] LORD CORNWALT-IS* ADMINISTRATION. 1^ 

for by a system of leases whereby the ryots or cultivators 
were secured in their tenures; and thus, a never-failing 
revenue was ensured. 

The change was considered advisable, and no doubt was 
well intended; but unfortunately the reform was made 
without due regard to the feelings, habits, and prejudices 
of the people whom it so greatly concerned. Hence, 
although it was productive of certain advantages, its 
drawbacks were greater. It secured a permanent revenue 
to the Company; but it unfortunately barred all provision 
for emergencies, and took no account of a prospective 
advance in value; and, while it tended to create a local 
aristocracy of wealth, it brought ruin to the door of many 
a substantial yeoman. 

Among the judicial reforms of Lord Comwallis, was 
the separation of the offices of tax-collector and judge, 
hitherto vested in one man. The evils attending such 
an arrangement were so glaring, that no statesmen, endued 
with the slightest sense of justice, could withhold reform 
in this direction. 

To further the administration of justice. Lord Com- 
wallis established certain courts, in some measure analo- 
gous to our county-courts, over which a judge holding 
high rank was appointed. Provision was made for appeal 
from the decisions of these judges; but unfortunately, 
through its restrictions, the natives were, as a rule, ex- 
cluded from its benefits. The injustice of this was so 
palpable, that the government was constrained to modify 
the system. The area of exclusion was accordingly 
narrowed; and four tribunals of appeal in place of one, 
namely at Calcutta, Patna, Dacca, and Moorshedabad, 
were at the same time established. 

He likewise abolished judges' fees, and rendered easier 
the process of pleading in the coui*ts. He reformed the 
penal laws, and established courts of circuit, rendering it 
incumbent upon the judges to report, on their return, the 
condition of the country whose judicial aflairs they ad- 
ministered, and to give an account concerning the general 
Mrorking of the law. 



CHAPTm xvt 

ADMINISTRATION OP SIR JOHN SHORE AND EARLY ^'£AR| 
OP THE MARQUIS WELLESLEY's REIGN. 

Mahratta Struggles — Defeat of Holkar by Scindia at Dukhairee^ 
Eej action of the Nizam's Appeal — Settlement of th^ Succes- 
sion of Oude — Resignation of Sir John Shore — Arrival of 
Lord Momington — Contracts Alliances — Outbreak of War 
Vifith Tippoo — Tippoo, beaten, retires to Seringapatam — 
Siege of Seringapatam and Death of Tippoo — Advancement 
of Lord Momington — Position of Tippoo's Dominions — Set- 
tlement of Affairs in the Camatic — Of Oude. 

The administration of Sir John Shore followed that of 
Lord Cornwallis in 1793. His efforts were mainly de- 
voted to the development of the measures of his prede- 
cessor, in the enactment of which he had taken no 
unimportant part. His term of office was a short and 
eminently peaceful one. Had he been anxious to gain 
military distinction, current events would have given him 
ample opportunity to make trial of his skill in this direc- 
tion; but, rightly or wrongly, he chose to observe a rigid 
neutrality. 

The chief interest of the times immediately preceding 
and following the defeat of Tippoo at Arikera, was cen- 
tered in the Mahratta country, where a continuous struggle 
for supremacy was going on between the great chieftains 
Mahadajee Scindia, Mulhar Eao Holkar, and Nana Fur- 
nawees. The former had grown exceedingly powerful; 
and, throughr the services he had rendered the emperor, 
had been entrusted with the manageme.tit of the affairs 
of the court of Delhi. Holkar had gilned for himself 
great military renown; and Nana, who was the ministerial 
head of the Mahraota nation, jealous of the abilities and 
*X)wer of these ct>«ftains, endeavoured to play them otf! 



w 93-1801.] LORD hobnington's administbatiok* 125 

against each other, thinking that their mutual enmity 
might remove the danger their ambition threatened. A 
b&,ttle took place between these rivals at Dukhairee, in 
which Holkar was signally defeated. The victor's death, 
which occurred soon after the engagement, removed the 
chief cause of anxiety from Nana, and he now felt at 
liberty to settle an old score with the nizam. 

The nizam did not consider himself strong enough to 
•withstand the Mahratta force unaided, and so he appealed 
for protection to the English. That protection was re- 
fused; and in this, Sir John Shore's policy has been 
condemned ; because it left open a way for French intrigue, 
and led, by-and-bye, to complications of a most serious 
character. Disappointed by the English, he began to 
make preparations upon his own account ; and such were 
his exertions, that when he took the field it was at the 
head of an army of 100,000 men. The forces of hi* 
antagonist were slightly superior in regard tc> numbers. 
The action which ensued at Khurdlah, though almost a 
bloodless, was a decisive one. It ended in favour of the 
Mahrattas; and after the action a treaty was concluded, 
in every way advantageous to the victors. 

Sir John Shore resigned his authority in 1798, after a 
reign of three years, and was succeeded by Lord' Morn- 
ington. The period of his sway, though far from brilliant, 
had not been altogether uneventful. An attempt on the 
part of the home government to alter the constitution of 
the Indian army occasioned a serious mutiny, which was 
only quelled with the greatest difficulty. His most 
memorable transaction was that in connection with the 
succession in Oude; and in the settlement of this difficulty 
he displayed a firmness of purpose worthy of Hastings 
himself. His administration, however, had been pro- 
nounced on the whole weak, and his recall had long been 
determined upon. That his administration had been con- 
ducted with some credit is evident by his advancement; 
for, ere he had quitted the land of his labours, he was 
rewarded by a peerage. He henceforth took his seat in 
the upper house as Lord Teignmoutb. 



126 HISTOBT OF INDIA. [OHAP. XYL 

When Lord Momington entered upon his duties as 
governor-general, in May 1798, the whole peninsula was 
in a condition of ferment. In the Maliratta country, one 
of the most remarkable exhibitions of the game of plot 
and counterplot had for some time been going forward, 
and threatened grave complications. In the Deccan, the 
nizam was inclined to be mischievous; while further, 
foiled though not subdued, was the restless Tippoo, 
cherishing all the bitterness of a vengeful spirit, and in- 
triguing to bring about a combination which should be 
powerful enough to carry out the favourite scheme of his 
ambitious sire, and drive the English into the sea. To 
add to the dangers which such a state of things portended, 
a war was at the time raging between the English and 
their old enemy in Europe; and the French had taken 
the opportunity this circumstance afforded them, of enter- 
ing the arena and swelling the volume of difficulties with 
which the new governor-general had to grapple. 

In fact, Tippoo had entered into an alliance with the 
French ; and there was every reason for supposing that 
he would obtain the services of a contingent of some 
80,000 or 90,000 men to increase the formidable array of 
well-disciplined, well-officered troops which he of himself 
was fible to bring into the field; and he had only to gain 
over the ever-changeable Mahrattas to his side, to render 
the effect overwhelming. The Madras government had 
no force by which they could hope to meet such a com- 
bination, and in this perplexity, therefore, Lord Morn- 
ington had no course open to him but to contract allia,nces. 
By the aid of M!eer AJlum, the minister at Hyderabad, 
he procured the dismissal of the nizam's French con- 
tingent; and thus a highly disciplined force of 15,000 
men was prevented from entering the service of his 
enemies against him. 

Lord Momington had come out, as his predecessors 
had done, with the strict injunctions of the directors ta 
avoid hostilities where possible; but the. danger that 
threatened English interests were so apparent, and so 
serious, that the peaceful tone of Leadenhall Street was 



1793-lddI.] LORD hobi^ington's administbation. 12T 

changed, ajad the new governor-general was consequently 
able to pursue a warlike policy fearless of all blame, 
except such as mismanagement or failure might entail. 
This was the period of Buonaparte's expedition into 
Egypt — a, movement fraught with extreme peril to British 
dominion in India; and Lord Mornington was there- 
fore resolved either to appease their great enemy, or to 
crush him before matters should be past remedy. The 
governor at first had recourse to negotiation; but Tippoo, 
who was then actually in correspondence with Buonaparte, 
as also with the Afghan chieftain, Beman Shah, had 
recourse tu evasion. Lord Mornington pei'severed with 
his overtures, and supported his demands with a threat 
of war. Tippoo, with that dauntless courage so charac- 
teristic of him, manfully took up his enemy's gauntlet; 
and thus hostilities commenced. 

The English forces were by this time considerably 
augmented; and two well-equipped corps, under Generals 
Harris and Stuart respectively, were at once brought into 
the field (1799). The season was favourable for military 
operations; and it was hoped that Tippoo's capital might 
be captured before the heavy rains should come to swell 
the waters of the Cauvery. Tippoo was not long in dis- 
covering how formidable an army his adversaries had 
brought against him. Nevertheless, his proud spirit 
could not suffer him to give in — at least, at this early 
point; and he kept the field, not without a hope, however 
faint, that something might happen to alter the position 
of affairs. His forces, beaten in the field, retreated step 
by step, till at length no other course was left him but to 
retire to his fortified capital of Seringapatam. 

Here his despair culminated; but, defiant, even in the 
face of certain destruction, he haughtily refused the terms 
of General Harris, and resolved to die like a, soldier. A 
breach having ^een effected in the walls, the place was 
gallantly carri^i by General Baird, an officer who had 
spent much «f his time in the dungeons of the town; 
and that in iipite of a most determined resistance on the 
2^ of the dsarrison. Tippoo kixnself took part in the 



128 HISTOBT OF INDIA. [OKAP. X?L 

defence of the place; and, a man of war from his youth. 
He died, as be had ever lived — a proud and dauntlesB 
soldier. The British losses were heavy, but the issue was 
an important one, and it was therefore not regretted. As 
a reward for his services, Lord Mornington was created 
Marquis Wellesley; while General Harris was raised to 
the peerage. 

The Mysorean dominion, as established by Hyder Ally, 
was now reduced to its former circumscribed dimensioi*'^ 
The acquisitions of Hyder were made over to the nizam 
and the Mahrattas; while a territory of some 20,000 
square miles was added to the British possessions. A 
representative of the old rajah, a mere boy, was taken 
from the confinement in which he,, with the family^ had 
long lingered, and placed upon the throne. It is gratify- 
ing to reflect that the sins of Tippoo were not visited 
upon the heads of his offspring; for an allowance was made 
them from the treasury adequate to their comfortable 
support. 

Having broken the power of Mysore, Lord Wellesley 
directed his attention to various minor dangers with which 
Britioh interests in India were at this time threatened. 
He began with the Caniatic. This province had, owing 
to the equivocal character of its government, proved a 
source of weakness during the struggle with Hyder Ally 
The Mysorean prince overran its territory and carried 
havoc to its towns and villages unchecked. In the recent 
war with Tippoo, some alarm had been felt, inasmuch as 
its nabob, never well-disposed towards the English, was 
supposed \o be intriguing with their enemy. To prevent 
further apprehension, the nabob was called upon to sur- 
render the administration of the affairs of government to 
the English, and to accept, as an equivalent for his loss of 
dignity and revenue, an allowance from the exchequer of 
the coimtry. After considerable difficulty, this mode of 
settlement was agreed to; and, for the future, the affairs 
of the Carnatic were directed by the Council of Madras 
(1801). 

The governor's next business w«s wjth O^'deu F h»A 



1793-1801.] MARQUIS wellesley's admin istratioh. 129 

heen fondly hoped that the establishment of this territory, 
under British supervision, would operate as a check upon 
the encroachments of the Mahrattas and other western 
nations. So far from this, however, its existence in its 
present condition was rather a source of danger than pro* 
tection to the British dominions. Its army was demora- 
lised, its revenues decaying, and its absorption into the 
territories of the Mahrattas or the Afghans, was an event 
apparently not far distant. Lord Wellesley now made a 
similar proposition with regard to the future administra- 
tion of this province, as he had done concerning the 
Carnatic, and requested that the effete army of the vizier 
should be disbanded, and an English contingent main- 
tained for its defence. The vizier temporised, then 
refused, and at length spoke of abdication. The affairs 
of the territory were ultimately settled (1801) upon tht» 
l^asis proposed by the governor; and Oude, like the 
s./amatic, was virtually added to the rapidly increasing 
doovinions of Britain in India. 



CfHAPTER XVIL 

AOUINISTBATION OF THE MARQUIS WSLLKSLET. 

(Continued), 

Disturbed Condition of the Peninsula— Scindia and Holkar— - 
Treaty of Bassein — Second Mahratta War — General Welles- 
ley's Campaign — Victory of Assaye— General Lake's Move- 
ments — Restoration of the Emperor — Treaty of Siijo** 
Anjengaom—Holkar's Movements — His Success — Bhurtpoor 
Besieged — Review of Lord Wellesley's Services — His Recall 
— Lord Comwallis Governor-gene-ral a Second Time — Tem- 
porary Reign of Sir George Barlow — Death of Holkar. 

TheS most uncompromising enemy of Britain in India, 
Tippoo Sahib, was now at rest for ever; and yet it seemed 
as if his spirit were still abroad. The collapse of his 
empire brought no peace to India, for, to say nothing of 
such minor conflicts as that of Colonel Wellesley with 
the freebooting horsemen of Dhondia, the Mysorean war 
was followed by a conflict not less arduous than that with 
Tippoo, equally favourable to British arms, and perhaps 
more momentous as regards results — namely, the second 
Mahratta war. ,^ 

This Mahratta conflict, indeed, was a consequence of 
the Mysorean struggle, and arose out of the 'distribution 
of Tippoo's territory. The Mahrattas, as has already 
been, stated, were a powerful nation; and, had they been 
ai^ united as they were brave and skilful in military 
matters, it is quite within the bounds of probability that 
they would long have remained an independent state, 
dividing with our countrymen a dictatorial influence over 
neighbouring provinces. In Nana Furnawees, they pos- 
sessed a statesman of consummate ability; in the miscreant 
Ghatgay, ihey had one of the most terror-inspiring and 



1803-1805.] HABQUIS WELLESLBT'S ADHINISTaAflOir. l$l 

unscrupulous agents that diplomacy ever employed; while 
the names of the Scindias, the Holkars, Pureshram Bhow, 
Rughoba and some of the Peshwas, stand high upon the 
roll of native Indian commanders. Intestine strife, how- 
ever, was the order of the day with this unhappy nation; 
and her great leaders, bent on self-aggrandisement, em- 
ployed their genius against each other to the detriment of 
the state and the advantage of envious enemies. 

The year following the capture of Seringapatam wit- 
nessed the death of the great Mahratta counsellor above 
mentioned — Nana Furnawees; and his removal occasioned 
a resumption of the unseemly feuds which his presence 
had of late served in a measure to check. First Dowlat 
Rao Scindia stepped tf ■*^he front; and, getting possession 
of the Peshwa, became virtual ruler of the state. Then 
Jeswunt Rao Holkar arose to dispute Scindia's supremacy. 
These chieftains took up arms. Victory, which at first 
declared itself upon the side of Holkar, was quickly 
reversed in favour of his adversary; and, eventually, 
Scindia was defeated in an action at Poonah, so decisive, 
that Holkar was, for the present, left without a rival in 
the state. 

These internecine feuds were of themselves of little 
cosisequence to the English; as, however, they were in- 
directly the cause of a mighty struggle, their mention is 
not altogether out of place. The cause of Scindia had 
been that of the Peshwa (Bajee Rao); and, upon this 
chieftain's defeat at Poonah, he had cast about for new 
champions. He thought of the English, and with them 
entered into negotiations which led to what is known as 
the treaty of Bassein. The terms of this treaty, based 
as they were on foreign alliance, were antagonistic to the 
entire course of Mahratta policy; and, as such, it gave 
grave offence to such leaders as Scindia and Holkar, from 
whose bosom, notwithstanding all their mutual jealousy 
and selfishness, the spark of patriotism had not yet died 
out. They immediately set up a rival to him; and Bajee 
Rao, by way of countercheck, abrogated the obnoxious 
treaty. 



132 HISTORY OP INDIA, [CHAP. XVlt 

The consequence of this policy was a confederatioB "' 
almost the entire Mahratta forces against the English. 
Holkar, for private reasons, declined to join it; but his 
defection was amply supplied by Rughojee Bhoslay, rajah 
of Berar, who had given it his support; and the array 
was therefore a formidable one. Matters were precipi- 
tated by the action of the governor-general, who, in order 
to carry out the provisions of the treaty of Bassein, 
despatched two armies for the occupation of the provinces 
(1803). Poonah was taken possession of, and Scindia, 
the leading spirit of the confederation, appealed to. His 
tone was in the highest degree defiant; and the English 
commander. General Wellesley, had no alternative left 
him but to try the argument of the sword. 

He was fully prepared; for no fewer than 60,000 men 
were encamped upon the Deccan, and stood ready to 
enter the Mahratta territory. General Wellesley (the 
future Duke of Wellington), the hero of this second 
Mahratta war, commanded a force of 7000 men; and with 
this small band he commenced operations by attacking 
and taking the fortress of Ahmednugger. Scindia now 
advanced from Berar to meet his enemy; and the en- 
counter took place upon the memorable field of Assaye. 
This action, the most important, and certainly the most 
brilliant since the great fight of Plassey, has been thus 
described : — 

" After a rapid march of about four miles, Wellesley 
saw, from an elevated plain, not only their infantry, but 
the whole force of the Mahrattas, nearly 50,000 men, 
encamped on the north side of the Kistna river, the 
banks of which were very steep. The Mahratta right, 
consisting of cavalry, was about Bokerdon ; their infantry 
corps connected with the cavalry, and having with them 
ninety pieces ^^ >*^''tillery, were encamped near the village 

of Assaye. , , ji i 

** Althouo-h the ^^^^J ^^^^ ^^ much stronger trian he 
h^d expected to fin^ *^®^' ^^ thought of retreat was 
ei.fcertained. V^ellesle^ resolved to attack the infantry 
©n its left and rear, and ^^^ *^^* purpose he moved his 



1803-1805. j MARQUIS WELLESLEY's ADMINISTRATION. lod 

little army to a ford some distance beyond the enemy's 
extreme left. Leaving the Mysore and other irregular 
cavalry to watdi the Mahratta cavalry, and crossing the 
river with only his regular horse and infantry, he passed 
the ford, ascended the difficult steep bank, and formed 
his men in three lines, two of infantry, and the third of 
horiie. This was effected under a brisk cannonade from 
the snemy's artillery. Scindia, or the French officer who 
directed his movements, promptly made a corresponding 
change in his line, giving a new front to his infantry, 
which was now made to rest its right on the river, 
and its left upon the village of Assaye and the Juah 
stream, which flowed in a direction parallel with the 
Kistna. 

" The Mahratta's numerous and well-served cannon did 
terrible execution among our advancing lines, knocking 
over men and bullocks, and completly drowning the weak 
sound of our scanty artillery. At one moment, such a 
g:ap was made by cannon-ball in our right, that some of 
the Mahratta cavalry attempted to charge through it; but 
the British cavalry in the third line came up, and drove 
back the Mahrattas with great slaughter. Finding his 
own artillery of little or no use (the guns could not be 
brought up for lack of bullocks), General Wellesley gave 
orders that it should be left in the rear, and that the in- 
fantry should charge with the bayonet. 

*' His steady, resolute advance in the teeth of their 
guns had awed the Mahrattas, who would not now stand 
to meet the collision of the bright English steel; their 
infantry gave way and abandoned their terrible guns. 
One body of them formed again, and presented a bold 
front; but Lieutenant -colonel Maxwell charged them 
with the British cavalry, broke and dispersed them, and 
was killed in the moment of victory. Wellesley's sepoys, 
having proceeded too far in pursuit, many of Scindia's 
artillerymen, who had thrown themselves down among 
the carriages of their guns as though they were dead, 
got to their feet again, and turned their pieces against 
the rear of the advancing sepoys; and, at th.© same time, 



134 HISTORY OF INDIA. [CHAP. XVll. 

the Mall rat fca cavalry, which had been hovering round 
tbiough the battle, were still near; but Maxwell's exploit 
soon led to the silencing of this straggling artillery fire, 
and to the headlong flight of Scindia's disciplined infantry, 
who went off, and left ninety pieces of camion, nearly all 
brass, and of the proper calibre, in the hands of the con- 
queror. 

" General Wellesley led the 78th British infantry in 
person against the village of Assaye, which was not 
cleared without a desperate combat. It was dark night 
when the firing ceased. The splendid victory cost General 
Wellesley 22 officers and 386 men killed, and 57 officers 
and 1526 men wounded, excluding the irregular cavalry, 
which remained on the other side of the river, and had 
not been engaged; the total number of killed and wounded 
amounted to nearly one-third of his force. The general 
bimsel'i had two horses killed under him, one shot, and 
iiie other piked ; every one of his staff-officers had one or 
two horses killed, and his orderly's head was knocked off 
by a cannon-ball as he rode close by his side. The enemy, 
who fied towards the Adjuntee Ghaut, through which 
'they had passed into the Deccan, left 1200 dead, and a 
great number badly wounded, on the field of battle," * 

Colonel Stevenson, who did not arrive until the day 
after the battle, went in pursuit of Scindia; and cap- 
tured, in his advance, the fortresses of Boorhampoor and 
Asserghur. 

Meanwhile, a strong force under General Lake was 
operating against the enemy in the north. The Mahratta 
army was commanded by a French officer named Perron. 
Scindia's forces, now encamped at Allyghur, which for- 
tress was gallantly stormed and taken by the British, 
who thereupon advanced on Delhi. A bloody battle 
occuiTed in the neighbourhood of the imperial city; and 
the English forces, completely victorious, entered Delhi, 
and restored the emperor, who had long been under the 
tutelage of Scindia, to his lost authority. A subsequent 
victory was obtained at Agra; and, within a month of 
* Memoir nf the Duke <(f Wellington, By Charles M^Farkno. 



1803-180S.] xABQuis wblleslkt's ▲dhivutsatiqv. 185 

this, an obstinate, but successful struggle at Laswaree 
closed the campaign. 

Wellesley's operations were not concluded by the over- 
throw of Scindia at Assaye. Rughojee Boslay, of Berar, 
remained yet to be dealt with. His province was accord- 
ingly invaded, and its chief fortresses attacked by British 
arms. The general then, in conjunction with Colonel 
Stevenson, attacked the rajah's forces at Argaom; where, 




KING S FALACB, DELHI. 

after a desperate resistance, they were defeated with 
severe loss. The subsequent capture of his great strong- 
hold, Gawilghur, entirely dissipated the hopes of the 
confederate chieftains; and negotiations were accordingly 
entered into, which ultimately led to the establishment 
of peace. By the treaty of Sirjee Anjengaom, as it is 
termed, the rajah surrendered Kuttack, which province 
had previously been taken possession of by the English, 
to Sikundah Jah, the son and successor of Nizam Ally; 
while Scindia gave up the Doab some of his possessions 
in Kajpootana, the Deccan, and Kandeish, entered into a 
defensive alliance with his conquerors, and assented to 



136 BI8T0BT OF INDU^ [OHAP. JYIh 

manj less impvrtant provisions. And thus, this second, 
and in every way most important, Mahratta war was ter- 
minated, to the very great advantage of the English. 

Still, there was no rest for British arms. The great 
chief, Holkar, the victor of Poonah, it wiQ be remem- 
bered, had taken no part in the struggles of his country- 
men against their English adversaries. Indeed, there is 
little doubt but that he had in secret gloated over the 
himiiliation of his old rival; and, it is certain, that he 
intended to profit by it; for no sooner were the English 
out of the field, than he invaded the dominions of Scindia, 
and committed many and grievous depredations therein. 
If, however, he had had no afiection for his compatriot, 
he had still less for his English conquerors; and he now 
made no secret of his wish to measure swords with them. 
In all his dealings with our countrymen, he conducted 
himself with the most studied arrogance; and matters at 
length wore such a complexion, that there was no avoid- 
ing hostilities. They began somewhat unpropitiously for 
the English. The monsoon interfered with the move- 
ments of the troops; and Colonel Monson, who had 
advanced into the eneu'y's territory, was compelled to 
beat a hasty retreat. 

This retrograde movement was conducted in a masterlj' 
manner; but, although disaster was averted by the skill 
of the commander, the moral effect was considerable; for 
it rallied many hitherto wavering chieftains to Holkar's 
standard, and inspired him with the confidence which is 
BO often the parent of success. With an army of 80,000 
men at his back, he followed his retiring enemy to Muttra, 
and then laid siege to Delhi. This fortress gallantly held 
out until relieved by General Lake, when the besiegers 
withdrew to the Bhurtpoor district, plundering and devas- 
tating the Doab, and committing the most unheard-of 
barbarities on their way. At Deeg he was brought to 
bay; and there suffered a signal defeat at the hands of 
Colonel Monson. The siege of Bhurtpoor was now un- 
advisedly commenced by General Lake. It was strongly 
fortified^ and resolutely defended by an exceedingly 



1803-1805.] MARQUIS wellesley's administration. 137 

numerous gariison ; and, moreover, a portion of Holkar's 
forces, whose retreat from Deeg had never been properly 
followed up, hovered about the lines of the besiegers and 
harassed them flank and rear. 

Three times the assault was made; and as many times 
had our countrymen to retire before the desperate valour 
of the defenders ; and when, at length, it gave signs of sub- 
mission, it was because the decisive overthrow of Holkar's 
army by Captain Royal had cut the garrison off from 
all hope of relief. Lake was glad enough to listen to the 
overtures of the rajah of the place ; for it had been 
found necessary to follow Holkar, whose junction with 
his enemy Scindia was a probable circumstance. Ghatgay 
had already joined, and was exerting himself in his usual 
crafty manner in his behalf. A treaty was therefore 
concluded with Holkar. The siege of Bhurtpoor was 
raised, and preparations made for another campaign 
against Scindia, Ghatgay, and the confederates. The 
direction of affairs, however, was left to other hands 
til an those of the present governor-general. 

Lord Wellesley had tendered his resignation so early 
as the year 1803. His administration had been a highly 
successful one in every way. He had overthrown, in 
Tippoo Sahib, one of the most formidable adversaries that 
English arms had had to contend with in India. He had 
brought order out of the chaotic condition of the govern- 
ment of Tanjore and the Carnatic; had settled the affairs 
of Oude; and, with a promptitude deserving of the 
highest credit, had despatched a British corps across the 
Arabian desert to co-operate with our countrymen under 
Abercrombie in Egypt. Beyond this, he had introduced 
many and important reforms into the civil administration 
of the country. On the other hand, he had, by his en- 
couragement of a private Indian trade, given grave offence 
to the company; and their displeasure found expression 
in a severe vote of censure. This action of the Court of 
Directors and Proprietors was met by the governor- 
general in the manner referred to. It did not, however, 
suit the Company's purpose to lose the services of oiio^ 



138 HllsrORY OF INDIA. [cfHAP. XVII. 

who, witli all his shortcomings, had greatly furthered their 
interests; and he was, to his manifest surprise, entreated 
to retain his office. So long as success attended his 
operations his administration was not interrupted; when, 
however, his ancient good fortune seemed likely to desert 
him, the representations of his enemies began anew to 
receive attention; and his supercession followed. 
J His successor was the veteran Lord Cornwallis, who 
/landed at Calcutta in July 1805. He was by this time 
a prematurely old man, in feeble health, and his second 
administration lasted for a few months only. It was an 
unfortunate circumstance, as it put an end to those hopes 
of peace which his known pacific tendencies had portended. 
He was succeeded in office by Sir George Bai-low. A treaty, 
set on foot by his predecessor, was concluded with Scindia; 
and Holkar was thus deprived of his rival's assistance. 
Nevertheless, he resolved to pursue the struggle without it. 
He had hopes of being joined by the Sikhs; but in this he 
was disappointed. Their chief, Kunjeet Singh, however,, 
offered his services as mediator; and an accommodation 
was efiected by which he himself was an unexpected 
gainer. The Mahratta strife closes with this treaty with 
Holkar. 

A. new policy of absolute non-interference was initiated 
with the retirement of Lord Wellesley from the arena, 
the effects of which were at once apparent in the opera- 
tions of Holkar, who, safe in the passive attitude of 
the English, ravaged the territories of those chiefs who 
opposed him, committed the most atrocious acts, and 
again assumed an attitude which was a menace to the 
peace of the Indian peninsula. Happily, his career was 
cut short by an attack of insanity, which caused him to 
be placed under restraint. He died in 1811, six yean 
after the execution of the treaty which had endowed him 
with a despot's licence. 



CHAPTER XVin. 

ADMINISTRATION OP LORD MINTA 

Mutiny and Massacre at Vellore — Arrival of Lord Minto — 
England's Mission — The Sikhs — Treaty made with Runjeet 
Singh at Amritsur — Mission to Persia — To the Afghan Court 
—The Pindarees — Insurrection of Vailoo Tumbee — Revolt of 
British Officers — Capture of Mauritius — Operations in Java 
— The Island taken from the Dutch — Close of Lord Miiito''a 
Administration. 

The administration of Sir George Barlow was but a tem- 
porary arrangement; and his term of office did not last 
two years. His brief reign is marked bj the introduction 
of financial reforms, which led to a reduction of the Com- 
pany's expenditure. One stirring event occurred during 
the period, namely, a mutiny of sepoys, which was attended 
with a frightful massacre of European soldiers at Vellore 
(1806). The revolt was speedily suppressed by Colonel 
Gillespie from Arcot; and the family of Tippoo, who, 
since the fall of Seringapatam, had been located there, 
was removed to Calcutta. The effect of this movement, 
which is supposed to have been instigated by the resident 
family, but which was in reality the exponent of a wide- 
spread disaffection throughout Madras, was to cause the 
recall of Lord Bentinck from the government of that 
province, Sii' George Barlow being appointed in his place. 
Lord Minto, the appointed successor of Lord Cornwallis, 
arrived in 1807. 

Lord Minto had been warned, like his predecessors, 
against an aggressive policy; his reign, nevertheless, com- 
menced with warlike operations. The truth is, that in 
the present agitated condition of the peninsula, it waa 
found impossible to maintain such an attitude. England 
had by this time acquired such a footing in India, as to 
have become not only its leading, but likewise its con- 
trolling power. As such, she was, in a measure, respoii' 



140 HISTORY OP INDIA. [CHAP. ZVIII. 

Bible for the peace of the land, and the protection of its 
people against the violence of wayward and ambitious 
chieftains, and especially in those portions of it wherein 
her power was feared and respected. It was this con- 
sideration alone that could justify her title to a footing, 
other than a commercial one, in this eastern land; and, 
failing in the execution of this obligation, her duty was 
to withdraw from a position in which she could only 
appear to the eyes of civilization in the barbarous aspect 
of a mere conqueror. It is to the credit of the new 
governor that he recognised this fact; and in the true 
interests of peace, reversed his predecessor's policy by 
despatching an expedition against the enemies of order 
who had by this time made Bundelkund a theatre of 
anarchy and bloodshed. 

Lord Minto had scarcely restored order in Bundelkund 
than he was called upon to face a question of great 
delicacy and perplexity. The people called Sikhs, once a 
despised Hindu race, and long the objects of Mohamme- 
dan persecution, had, in the process of years, developed 
into a populous and warlike nation. At this period of 
the history they occupied the Punjaub and the district 
lying to the east of it, between the Sutlej and Jumna. 
From being a mere aggregate of petty tribes, the Punjaub 
Sikhs had at length, under the benign rule of Runjeet 
Singh, settled down into a homogeneous nation ; while their 
compatriots of the east, who chose to retain their pristine 
condition of independence, were under the protection of 
the English. Runjeet Singh had long had an eye upon 
their province, and he now threatened to force them into 
the confederation of which he was head. The Sikh states 
forthwith appealed for aid to the English. The gover- 
nor would fain have guaranteed their integrity; but 
he was in this dilemma: — He could not well abandon 
faithful allies, for such these cis-Sutlej Sikhs really were; 
neither, on the other hand, had he any desire to offend a 
powerful chieftain, whose alliance, considering the aspect 
European affairs had assumed, might by-and-bye prove to 
be of inestimable value. Moreover, his instructioDs, as 



>&.)o-1813.1 ADMISTRATION OP LORD UINTO. 141 

has been remarked, were to avoid future complications, 
and he could not enter the arena without being prepared 
to strike in support of his policy. His policy preserved 
peace, for the time at least. By the firmness of Mr. 
Metcalfe, the envoy, and the promptitude of the governor 
in despatching troops to the frontier, Runjeet Singh was 
induced to sign a pacific treaty at Amritsur (1809), which 
he observed with all fidelity until his death. 

The great fear of Indian governors at this period was 
a French invasion from the north. Such an event had 
long been considered a possibility; and an embassage sent 
by Buonaparte to the Persian court in 1809, had brought 
it within the range of probabilities. This contingency, 
as has been hinted above, was an item in the late Sikh 
question; for to prepare for such an emergency was now 
one of the main duties of those responsible for the 
maintenance of British empire in India. To meet the 
exigencies of the case, a counter-mission was despatched 
to the Shah of Persia, which happily led to more favour- 
able results than at one time had been anticipated; and 
a permanent ambassador, in the person of Sir Gore 
Ouseley, was accordingly accredited to Ispahan (1810). 
A second embassy was, about the same time, sent to the 
Afghan king. Shah Sujah, at Peshawar; but, unhappily, 
the mission was not attended with like results. 

About this time a new power arose in India to perplex 
the counsels of the English governor, namely, the Pinda- 
rees. This people were the representatives of the Patan 
or Afghan warriors, who, in times gone by, had long 
lorded it in the peninsula. They dwelt chiefly amid the 
fastnesses of Malwar. They were a predatory race, fierce 
and warlike; and their habit had been to hire themselves 
out as mercenaries. Under the able leadership of Ameer 
Khan, they had become a scourge to their neighbours. 
On some slight pretext Ameer invaded the territory of 
Nagpoor, trusting to the treaty with Holkar for immunity 
from English interference. The governor, notwithstand- 
ing, was determined to take action, and Ameer waa 
eheckfld. It wm due to the non-interferent policy of the 



lit BISTOBT OF INDIA. [cHAP. XYIII. 

home authorities that he was not crushed at once, but 
was 'permitted to escape to be a thorn in the side of our 
countrymen, and sorely to perplex future governors. 

Meanwhile, affairs of a serious character had occurred 
in the Madras presidency. The first was an iusurrection 
of Yailoo Tumbee, who, irritated at being discharged 
from the administration of the affairs of the Rajah of 
Travancore, attacked the commander, and murdered 
several British soldiers in cold blood. He was ultimately 
brought to bay and defeated; when hisj)ower to do mis- 
chief was put an end to by suicide. A more serious 
occurrence was the revolt of British officers, occasioned 
by a sense "of injustice, real or imaginary, on the part of 
the governor. Mainly through the fidelity of the sepoys, 
and the firmness of the governor, the revolt was eventually 
suppressed; but not till the insurgents had so far com- 
mitted themselves as to open their guns upon the loyal 
forces who were advancing to take possession of their 
chief stronghold, Seringapatam. This occurrence led to 
the recall of Sir George Barlow. 

The year 1810 is marked by operations of the Indian 
government which took place beyond the confines of the 
peninsula. The important island of Mauritius was taken 
from the French, and the possessions of the Dutch in the 
eastern seas captured by Sir Samuel Achmuty. The in- 
terest of the expedition was centered in Java, which 
island, defended by the French, became the scene of 
many an obstinate contest. Batavia was first captured; 
and the victors, advancing to the great stronghold of 
Comelis, carried it after a desperate and deadly struggle. 
Amboyna and Banda had previously capitulated. 

The reign of Lord Minto closed in 1813. On the 
whole, his administration had been a successful one. It 
is, however, to be regretted that his hands were tied by 
directions from home; otherwise, by prompt action, such 
1,8 he often showed himself to be capable of exercising, 
he doubtless would have destroyed the power of the 
E^darees. 



CHAPTER XIX 

ADMINISTRATION OP THE MARQUIS OP HASTINOa 

Troubled condition of the Indian Peninsula — Outbreak* of tha 
Ghoorka War— Success of the Ghoorkas— The Mahrattas 
and Pindarees join the Enemies of England — The English 
Successful — Treaty of Katmandoo, and Close of the War — 
Movements of the Pindarees — Commencement of the Pin- 
daree and Third Mahratta Wars — Treachery of the Peshwa, 
Bajee Rao — Assassination of Gunga Dhow — Surrender of 
Trimbukjee Dainglia — Attack upon the Peshwa's Forces — 
Repulse of Cheetoo at Seetabuldee— Cession of Mahratta 
Territory — Perturbed state of Holkar's Dominions — Subju- 
gation of the Pindarees — Division of the Mahratta Dominions 
—Administrative Labours of the Marquis Hastings. 

Lord Minto was succeeded by the Earl of Moira, after- 
wards Marquis of Hastings. He found the country in 
that condition of calm, which, in nature, is the usual 
forerunner of a disturbance in the elements. The tem- 
pest eventally broke over the Himalayan district, where 
dwelt a Rajpoot race, which, centuries since, had passed 
the mountain barrier of northern India, and established 
for themselves an independent dominion, known as 
Nepaul. These people had long been a menace to the 
province of Oude; and Lord Minto had, during his 
government, attempted to come to some arrangement 
with them regarding the establishment of a common fron- 
tier. As, however, they continued to make encroachments 
southwards, the new governor determined to take action 
against them. 

The Ghoorkas, as these people were called, bade de- 
fiance to the English, and commenced hostilities. Th© 
English forces, under the command of Generals Gillespie 
and Ochterlony, advanced with upwards of 20,000 men. 



144 BI8T0BT OF UTDIA. [cHAP. XXX. 

The campaign was singularly unsuccessful. The Ghoorkas- 
manfully defended Kalungali and Jythak, killing General 
Gillespie, and completely baflling Generals Ochterlony, 
Marley, and Wood. The commanders, with the except 
tion of Ochterlony, appeared lamentably inadequate to 
the task assigned them; and their failure had the worst 
possible effect upon the sepoy regiments, who, accustomed 
as they had been to follow to victory the banner of Eng- 
land, drew an exaggerated picture of the power and skill 
of their enemy (1814-15). 

Worse than this, it gave renewed encouragement to 
England's old enemies, Scindia and Holkar, and to the 
ever restless Pindarees. A combination of these princes 
was effected; and Ameer Khan^ the Pindaree chief, and 
Rimjeet Singh, took part in it. A considerable army 
marched to the Sutlej; but, fortunately, they paused 
here; for the campaign of 1815, under the skilful dii-ec- 
tion of Ochterlony and Colonel Gardener, had ended in 
the defeat of the Ghoorka arms, and cause'd them to sue 
for peace, which was willingly granted. 

Unfortunately for the permanent establishment of peace- 
ful relations, the treaty had been made without the assent 
of one of the principal parties concerned, namely. Ameer 
Khan. One of the most successful of the leaders in this war, 
he was by no means willing to consent to a cessation of 
hostilities; and, by his advice, the contest was renewed. 
The following year (1816) Ochterlony took the field again 
at the head of 17,000 men. His operations were so 
skilfully designed, and so vigorously carried out, that th»j 
Ghoorkas, in despair, made pacific overtures anew. By 
the treaty of Katmandoo, which followed (1816), the 
boundaries of their dominions were fixed; and since that 
time they have never been transgressed. 

A conflict was now about to take place, which, although 
of comparatively short duration, surpassed in the mag- 
nitude of the proportions, and the extent of territory 
over which operations were conducted, any struggle in 
which the English arms had as yet been engaged. This 
was a dual warfare with the Pindarees, and the old 



1814-1819.] MARQUIS OF HASTINGS* ADMINISTRATION. 145 

enemy of the British, the Mahrattas. The passive atti- 
tude of the English, at this time, had not unrsasonably 
been miscontrued by the native chieftains of India gene- 
rally. Lord Minto, it will be remembered, had carried 
on operations against the great Pindaree leader, Ameer 
Khan; but, as his action was paralysed by orders from 
head-quarters, these turbulent scourges of India had been 
left to pursue, with impunity, their depredations, and to dis- 
turb the peace of the land. At first they carefully avoided 
the states with which the Company had any connection; 
but, by-and-bye, emboldened by success, and encouraged 
by the attitude already spoken of, they began to carry 
their ravages into British territory. In 1812, they went 
farther, and hired themselves, as we lately saw, to the 
enemies of the British during the Ghoorka war. Under 
the leadership of Cheetoo and Kureem Khan, their 
ravages, this year, were incessant and beyond description 
atrocious. The mischief these depredators were able, and 
apparently determined, to work, was brought more imme- 
diately under the notice of the Company, when an irrup- 
tion was made by them into the province of the Circars; 
and now, with British territory overrun by their hordes, 
they could no longer, with safety or honour, withhold that 
sanction of military operations which, had it been granted 
some years earlier, would have forestalled the present 
complications, and saved the land from many a scene of 
untold horror. 

Anticipating orders from England, Lord Hastings 
hastened to mature his plans; and, in 1816, he concluded 
an alliance with Appa Sahib, the regent to the Bajah of 
Nagpoor, whose dominions lay between Malwar and the 
Circars. The adroitness of the Pindaree horsemen pre- 
vented the defence of that territory, and it was con- 
sequently ravaged from end to end. Preparations of an 
extensive character were, however, progressing; and by 
the end of the year 1817, upwards of 100,000 men, with 
an equally formidable display of artillery, were ready to 
take the field. The necessity for crushing them once and 
for ever, had determined the governor to prepare so im- 



Ill HISTORY OF INDIA. [OHAP. ZIX 

posing an array; and, considering the ubiquitous character 
of the foes with whom he would have to deal, their num- 
bers and ferocity, and the extent of country over which 
the campaign must necessarily extend, the preparations 
were not too ample. Lord Hastings himself took chief 
command in the north; and he was supported by the 
veteran General Ochterlony. In the south was Sir 
Thomas Hislop,, and in the west, General Kerr, who 
occupied Guzerat. 

It was not, however, with the Pindarees alone that the 
governor had to deal. The attitude of the Mahrattas 
had again become menacing; and Lord Hastings was de- 
termined to bring matters to a crisis with them as with 
his other foes. By an adroit movement, he secured the 
neutrality of Scindia — whom he had every reason to believe 
was conspiring at the time with his enemies — and drew 
the sting of Ameer Khan by an offer of terms, far too 
tempting for refusal. 

From what has already been said with regard to the 
character of the Mahratta polity, it will be readily under- 
stood that Scindia by no means represented the Mahratta 
nation; and that, consequently, no action of his was con- 
sidered binding upon them as a people; neither did it in 
thia case prevent their co-operation with the foes of 
England. The movement of the Peshwa, who had been 
established in his authority and supported by the English, 
had long been matter of solicitude with the governor. 
A more faithless, intriguing, double-faced creature nevrer 
occupied that high position than Bajee Rao. His entire 
career, from his earliest appearance at the court of his 
namesake and predecessor, had been one of intrigue, 
perfidy, and double-dealing; and the protection hitheiiio 
afforded him by the British, was due rather to conveni- 
ence than to a sense of respect for the man, or for the 
justice of his cause. Urged by the counsels of one Trim- 
bukjee Dainglia, he had recently added ingratitude to the 
list of evil attributes with which he was endowed; and, 
while professing an undying friendship towards his bene* 
factoi-s, was maJdng preparations to attack them. 



1814-182a] MABQUIS OF HASTIXOS' ADMINISTBATION. lit 

Suspicion of his treachery was aroused, in the first in- 
stance, by the murder at Poona of Gunga Dhow, an envoy 
sent thither under British protection to settle a dispute 
that had arisen between the Peshwa and the Gaikwar ; 
and his proceedings were therefore carefully watched by 
Mr. Elphinstone, who had reason to suppose that, in 
concert with Trimbukjee, he had been instrumental in 
the assassination of Gunga Dhow; and was, moreover, in 
active communication with the Mahratta chiefs and the 
Pindarees. The resolute action of the governor discon- 
cei-ted his plans for a time; and, meanwhile, the Pindaree 
war went forward. 

As an earnest of good faith, he was requested to sur- 
render the person of Trimbukjee, and to deliver up his 
family as hostages. To these terms he acceded; but the 
same mystery hung about his proceedings as heretofore; 
and it became more than ever apparent that he was con- 
templating mischief. Under the pretence of performing 
some religious service, he gathered around him an escort 
of fighting men of most menacing proportions; and. with 
this force, he began to move steadily towards the British 
position at Poonah. Mr. Elphinstone remonstrated, and, 
at the same time, took the precaution to order iip 
reinforcements. In self-defence this officer precipitated 
hostilities by ordering an attack on the Peshwa's forces. 
The Mahratta army, seized with a panic, quickly fled; 
and, although their numbers greatly preponderated, made 
no subsequent attack upon the British position; but, on 
the arrival of a brigade under General Smith, the whole 
army retired to Sattara. The Peshwa was followed in 
his flight; and, during the pursuit, the 1st Bombay Native 
Infantry, under Captain Staunton, greatly distinguished 
themselves by their gallant defence of Koryg;ioni — an 
exploit which is remembered among the Mahrattas to this 
day. 

The Peshwa now beheld with apprehension the British 
troops closing upon him from all sides. Disappointed of 
refuge in Korygaom, and hearing that his lieutenant, 
Baj)j)o Gokla^ had been defeated and slain in battle, ho 



148 HISTORr OP INDIA. [CHAP. XIX. 

made northwards, as if for Nagpoor, where Appa Sahib, 
now rajah, in conjunction with the Pindaree chief, Cheetoo, 
was ready to give him a friendly welcome. This prince, 
however, having made a treacherous attack upon the 
British troops, was splendidly repulsed at Seetabuldee in 
Nagpoor; and Appa at once renewed his professions of 
friendship, and surrendered the military control of his 
province to the English. 

The Mahratta territory was now forcibly annexed to 
the British dominions — at least, that portion of it which 
owned the direct sway of the Peshwa, for the dominions 
of HoJkar and the Bajah of Berar were for the present 
permitted to maintain their integrity. Events, how^ever, 
had meanwhile been transpiring which rendered a transfer 
of the control, if not the confiscation of Holkar's dominions 
comparatively easy. Its great chieftain, Jeswunt Bao, 
had died; and his removal was the signal for a severe 
internecine strife. One of his illegitimate sons, Mulhar 
Bao, having been proclaimed his heir, he was supported 
in his title by Toolsee Bye, one of the mistresses of the 
deceased Jeswunt Bao; who, as Mulhar was still young, 
undertook the -duties of regency. She was opposed by 
Ghufoor Khan, and the province was, for years, a scene 
of anarchy. The regent, in her perplexity, would fain 
have secured the support of the English; but the chiefs 
of the army were totally inimical to any such policy, and 
her troops were ultimately employed in the service of the 
Peshwa. The army of Holkar advanced to Mehidpoor, 
where they were confronted by the English forces under 
Sir Thomas Hislop and Sir John Malcolm. While here, 
Toolsee Bye was seized and barbarously murdered. 

An ineffectual attempt having been made by the 
English commanders to come to terms with their enemy, 
their position at Mehidpoor was attacked, and gallantly 
carried; the entire army retreating and leaving behind 
them an abundance of military stores. Young Holkar 
subsequently submitted; and his dominions passed by 
treaty under the protection of Britain. 

The Pindarees had not yet been finally disposed of. 



1814-1820.] MARQUIS OP HASTINGS* ADMINISTRAWOW. 14f 

Their forces were still in the field under Cheetoo, Kiireem 
Khan, Ameer Khan, and Wasil Mahomed, the brothem 
of Dost Mahomed — though considerably crestfallen by 
reason of the unpropitions turn affairs had been taking. 
The former was supposed to be in league with Scindia, 
whose general, Jeswunt Rao Bhow, rendered him every 
possible assistance. This man was called to account and 
defeated by General Brown at Jawud; but, as it was 
shown that the Mahratta general had acted in defiance 
of his superior's orders, Scindia was not molested. 
Cheetoo's followers, harassed beyond measure by pursuing 
columns of the English, dropped off one by one; and he 
was at length forced to take refuge among the mountain 
fastnesses of Malwar. He is said to have been devoured 
by a tiger, which attacked him in a jungle near the 
Taptee (1818). 

Kureem Khan and Wasil Mahomed were, in time, 
brought to bay, lind ultimately fell into the hands of the 
English. The former, after escaping from Jawud, sur- 
rendered to Sir John Malcolm, and received favourable 
terms; the latter placed himself under the protection of 
Scindia, by whom he was given up to the English; and, 
disappointed subsequently in an attempt to escape, 
poisoned himself. Ameer Khan, following the example 
of his compatriots, sued for peace; and was, considering 
the trouble he had occasioned them, most liberally treated 
by the conquerors. 

The Peshwa was still at large; but he 'too at length, 
hunted from place to place, till no rest was left him for 
the sole of his foot, applied to the British commanderg 
for terms of peace. His enemies, thorough masters of 
the position, demanded an unconditional surrender of 
himself and the murderer Trimbukjee. This the Peshwa 
declined; and his firmness was eventually rewarded by 
the offer of terms which neither his career of perfidy and 
treachery deserved, nor the triumphant position of his 
enemies could have led him to expect. The struggle was 
now of short duration. Appa Eao, the rajah of Nagpoor, 
having broken faith with the English by assisting th© 



180 * BI8T0BT OF INDIA. [OHAP. SIX. 

Pcshwa in his endeavour to elude his English pursuers, 
wad taken prisoner and brought to Allahabad. Hence 
he made his escape, and managed to maintain himself for 
some time amid the wilds of the Vindhya Hills; but his 
power to do mischief was shortly checked; and he 
eventually surrendered himself to the Kajah of Johdpoor. 
Tiie reduction of Kandeish, which was brought about by 
the capture of Talnair and Malligaom, put an end to 
farther resistance. 

Thus ended the Pindaree and the Third Mahratta war^ 
Both were equally conducive to British interests. They, 
however, differed in this respect, that whereas, in the 
one case, by the forced flight of the Peshwa, and the 
capture of Sattara, an immense territorial increase was 
made to the Company's dominions ; in the other, no further 
advantages accrued to the vectors than that attending the 
break-up of a race of freebooters who had long been a 
scoui-ge to Central India; whose proceedings were sub- 
versive of everything that was decent and orderly; aiid 
who, had they not been oi:iXifronted by a hand that had 
the ability as well as the desire to strike, might have 
rendered the country a very Pandemonium. For this 
undertaking, therefore, Loi d Hastings was furnished with 
the best of all possible prt:'_-exts, namely, the protection of 
the peace-loving, and the welfare of persecuted humanity. 

The Mahratta dominions, divided into four portions, 
with a resident commissioner to each, were incorporated 
into the dominion of Bombay; and Mr. Elphinstone, ap- 
pointed to this presidency (1819), was able to superintend 
the settlement of the affairs of that territory, to the suc- 
cessful annexation of which his wise counsels had, in no 
email degree, contributed. So widely spread a territory 
rendered a thorough supervision difficult; and for a time 
the foes of order were able to defy restraint, and to indulge 
their evil propensities by outrage and intrigue. The bulk 
of the Mahratta people, heartily weary of the lawless- 
ness once so rife in their midst, hailed as a boon the 
change of masters; and, under the fostering influence of 
peace, and a wise and liberal administration, they gradually 



1814-1820.] MARQUIS OP HASTINGS* ADMlHISTftAtlOK. 101 

lost the unenviable character their restlessness had secured 
them, and came to be one of the most peaceable, indus- 
trious, and law-abiding communities of the peninsula. 

Lord Hastings was slow, indeed, to receive the due 
recognition of the service his vigorous policy had rendered 
to India and to England. The Court of Directors, though 
awarding him all credit for the brilliancy and success of 
his military undertakings, entirely disapproved the act of 
annexation as contrary to their orders, and to the spirit 
of the policy which they had so long endeavoured to pur- 
sue. Neither were they much better pleased with his 
schemes for the amelioration of the condition of the 
natives. Nevertheless, his perseverance in this direction, 
especially in that portion of his plans which related to 
education, contributed in no mean degree to the welfare 
and happiness of the people of India. 

The administrative labours of Lord Hastings were 
happily not confined to the newly annexed territory, in 
which, be it remembered, he was largely assisted by the 
enlightened governor of Bomba.^? . Under his wise super- 
vision the financial affairs of the land were ably managed; 
for, notwithstanding the enormous expenses of the wars, 
an annual surplus was now declared, and the credit of the 
Company maintained. A great change had taken place 
in the character of Indian officials since the days of Clive 
and Warren Hastings. little opportunity was now 
afibrded for that system of peculation and extortion 
which was once the scandal of the age. India had come 
to be better understood, and its afiairs were thus managed 
in accordance with the principles that should govern all 
well regulated states. To this satisfactory condition of 
things, the exertions of the present governor-general, no 
less than those of hia immediate predecessors, had con- 
tributed. 



CHAOTER XX 
UOKD Amherst's administbation. 

[gnation of Lord Hastings — ^His Eeasons — ^Temporary Enle <vf 
Mr. Adam — Prosecution of Mr. Buckingham — ^Airival of 
Lord Amherst — ^Arrogance of the King of Burmah — War 
Declared against the Burmese — Successes of Captain Camp- 
bell — Of the Burmese General, Bundoola — Mutiny of Sepoys 
— Capture of Donabew, and Death of Bundoola — Treaty of 
Yandaboo and Close of Burmese War— Bhurtpoor — ^Its Cap- 
ture — Lord Amherst Quits India, and is succeeded by Lord 
William Bentinck. 

In 1821, after an administratioii of eight years, Lord 
Hastings tendered his resignation. He was induced to 
take this step through the scandal, rightly or wrongly; 
attaching to his name in the affair of the great Hyderabad 
banking-house of Palmer & Co. Not that by taking such 
a step he signified any complicity in this ugly transaction; 
but the suspicion to which he was subject, and the un- 
relenting opposition he experienced from the Calcutta 
court, had rendered his position anything but an enviable 
one. This affair of the bankers is regarded as the one 
great blot upon his otherwise benign and judicious 
reign. Its effects are said to be traceable in that por- 
tion of the country with which the transaction is more 
especially identified to this day; and. whether he was 
a party to it or not, the circumstance, as associated 
with his administration, will for ever be identified with 
his name. 

Lord Hastings, though he had sent home his resigna- 
tion so early as 1821, did not retire from the theatre of 
his triumphs till the beginning of the year 1823. He 
was temporarily succeeded in office by his most inveterate 



1121-1828.] LO»D AMHERST*S ADMINISTRATION. 16 

opponent at the council board, Mr. Adam, whose brief 
administration is marked by one event only — namely, 
the vindictive prosecution of a newspaper editor named 
Buckingham. The practical successor of Lord Hastings 
was Lord Amherst, whose Indian career began in 1823. 
He found plenty of employment to his hand in the threat- 
ening attitude of the Burmese, a people whose territory 
lay contiguous to the Company's dominions of Bengal. 

So early as the year 1814, their king, under pretence 
of making a pilgrimage to the sacred city of Benares, 
had marched out of Ava, his capital, and encamped by 
the Brahmapootra upon the frontier of Bengal. This 
menacing position he maintained till the year 1818, when 
he despatched a peremptory order to the governor to sur- 
render to him the eastern portion of Bengal as far as 
Bagrutty, with threats of coercion in case of a disregard 
of his mandate. The order, as a matter of course, was 
not complied with; indeed, the document was regarded 
as a counterfeit, and, therefore, no notice was taken of it. 

The threat of the Burmese monarch, meanwhile, was 
not carried out. His territorial usurpations, however, 
were permitted to progress; and, before attempting an 
attack on Bengal, he seized upon the independent and 
contiguous state of Assam, and annexed it to his domin- 
ions. His proceedings, however, had been narrowly 
watched, and Lord Hastings was fortunately not unpre- 
pared for the contingency. He had good reason to shun 
a contest with this people if possible; for their country 
was difficult of invasion, and its climate not of the best, 
and he therefore had recourse to negotiation. But the 
Burmese sovereign, bent upon a quarrel, had promptly 
despatched a powerful force under his greatest general, 
Maha Bundoola, towards the Bengal frontier; and, the 
governor, having no alternative, at once issued a pro- 
clamation of hostilities (1824). 

Everything pointed to the conclusion that this war 
with the Burmese would be no light undertaking; and 
so it proved. Finding that it was impossible, by reason 
of the alternation of wood and marsh land, which charac- 



154 



filStORT OF IKbtA. 



[chap. it. 



terises the eastern portion of Bengal, to enter the Burmese 
country landwards, an expedition was despatched thither 
by sea, under Captain Campbell, to Rangoon, at the 
mouth of the Irrawady. The place was taken, as was also 
Martaban, in Tenasserim; but here success for a time 
ended. The capture of Rangoon, however, had the effect 
of drawing off the Burmese general from Bengal, where 
he had greatly distinguished himself by driving in the 
various detachments of the British forces stationed to 
watch his movements; and, with an army of 60,000 men, 




RANGOON. 

he turned southwards to measure swords with the invadei-s 
of his country. The struggle now began in earnest. It 
opened somewhat favourably for the British, who, a?fter 
carrying the stockaded positions of the enemy, forced 
him to withdraw. Other expeditions were not so favoui> 
able; and, to the embarrassment of the governor, some 
of the sepoy regiments, inspired with a needless dread, 
broke out into mutiny at Barrackpore. 

The prompt action of Sir Edward Paget brought them 
back to their allegianc& The old routes which, from their 



1821-iS2&] LOUD AMHERSI^S ADMtNIStBAtlOV. 15ft 

extremely irksome and hazardous character, had indii'ectly 
led to this spirit of insubordination, were abandoned, 
and operations were confined to the Irrawady. The main 
object of attack was the strong position of Donabew, 
which was defended by a garrison of 12,000 men under 
the direction of Bundoola himself. The first assault 
failed; but, upon the besiegers being reinforced by the 
main army under Sir Archibald Campbell, their efforts 
were more successful; for, having lost their commander, 
who was killed by the bursting of a shell, the Burmese 
garrison retreated, leaving their fortress, and also their 
stores in their enemy's hands. 

An attempt was now made to bring about a cessation 
of hostilities; but the king, who still had an army of 
50,000 men in the field, was not disposed to accept the 
terms offered him by Sir Archibald, and the war con- 
tinued. Its ultimate issue, however, was a foregone 
conclusion. Sir Archibald's subsequent operations were 
attended with almost unvarying success, and the English 
forces soon reached Yandaboo, within a day or two's 
march of the capital Hither the Burmese sovereign 
sent envoys to sue for peace (1815), which was granted 
him upon the condition of his ceding to the English the 
provinces of Assam, Arracan, and Tenasserim. The war 
had lasted two years; and while due tribute must be 
paid to the bravery of the enemy's troops, and to the 
skill of the Burmese commanders, the prolongation of the 
struggle was occasioned rather by natural obstacles and 
lack of foresight; and— extraordinary as it may appear — 
by the superstition of the Hindus, who considered their 
enemies to be possessed of supernatural powers, than by 
the resistance they met with from the enemy. 

The Burmese were now quiescent; but Lord Amherst's 
task was not completed. The fortress of Bhui-tpoor, it 
will be remembered, was associated with one of the most 
unfortunate failures in connection with British arms in 
India; and so baneful an effect had this failure upon the 
native tribes of the north, that, considering it to be an 
invulnerable stronghold, the disaffected had long intended 



iSd fiiSTO&T OF INDIA. [cHAP. XX. 

it as a rallying-point for opposition to British authority 
BO soon as opportunity should present itself. The far- 
seeing mind of Sir David Ochterlony was perhaps the 
first to recognise the prevalence of such a sentiment, and 
he had taken measures to meet the danger it foreboded; 
but his sagacity was rewarded by most ungrateful treat- 
ment, and the design went on developing. 

At length it transpired that 25,000 men, chiefly Jats, 
had rallied to the standard of the rajah of the place, and 
were prepared to measure their strength against the forces 
of the governor; and that the disaffected in the circum- 
jacent territory were ready to join them in case of pro- 
spective success. Nothing now but a bold policy could 
meet this dangerous crisis; and Lord Combermere was 
forthwith despatched to operate against the rebels (1826). 
The fortress was considerably stronger than when its 
capture had before been attempted, and the heaviest guns 
seemed to make but little impression upon its formidable 
ramparts. By means of mining, however, a consideiable 
breach was made in its walls; the place was stormed; 
and, after an obstinate fight of some hours, captured. 
The fortifications of Bhurtpoor were now levelled with 
the ground, and its destruction removed all apprehension 
of an extensive combination against English authority in 
these parts of the country. 

Lord Amherst, who was rewarded for his services by 
being raised to the rank of an earl, spent the remainder 
of his time in visiting the provinces, and settling out- 
standing accounts with native princes. He left India 
early in 1828, and was succeeded as governor-general by 
Lord William Bentinck — Mr. Butterworth Bayley acting 
till the arrival of the newly appointed governor. 



OHAFTER XXI. 

J&XnnSTRATION OF LORD WILLIAM BENTINCK. 

Characteristics of Lord Bentinck's Administration — Fanaticism 
of the Mohammedans — Teetoo Meer — The Koles — Settle- 
ment of the Affairs of Oude— Of Hyderabad— Of Coorg— 
Meeting of Lord Minto with Runjeet Singh — Suppression of 
the Suttee — Measures against Infanticide — Suppression of 
Thugism — Miscellaneous Measures of the Governor — Hia 
Financial policy — Resignation of Lord EUenborough — Provi- 
sional Government of Sir Charles Metcalfe— His Treatment; 

The administration of Lord William Bentinck, in its 
eminently peaceful character, presents a marked contrast 
to those of his predecessors; it is, however, none the less 
interesting on that account. Peace, as has often been 
remarked, has her victories as well as war; and the 
triumphs of the present governor-general were, in their 
way, as brilliant and decisive as any of the achievements 
that grace the names of Olive, Hastings, Wellesley, or 
Amherst. The process of conquest entails obligations 
which no prudent and enlightened state may with im- 
punity or credit overlook; and it was well for India and 
for England that she now possessed a ruler who, perhaps, 
above all others, not only recognised these principles, but 
possessed likewise the courage and ability to act upon 
them. Fortunately, too, for the success of his measures, 
he had, in Sir Charles Metcalfe and other individuals, 
famous in the annals of Indian administration, coadjutors 
as fully alive to the dictates of justice and humanity as 
himself, and just as ready to obey them. The consequence 
was, that a system of judicial administration and financial 
and social reforms was undertaken, which, in their bold- 
and magnitude have never been surpassed* 



158 HISTOBT OF INDIA. [OHAP. XXL 

The campaigns of his predecessors had been directed 
against a tangible enemy; and ultimate success, in con- 
sequence of that superiority which discipline ever gives, 
was always a foregone conclusion. The struggles of Lord 
Bentinck were on the other hand, with unseen, im- 
palpable, and far more stubborn foes— the fanaticism, 
superstition, and deeply-rooted prejudices of the people, 
and the correction of widespread abuses. Much of his 
success, no doubt, is due to the quiet condition of the 
land upon his appointment; a happy state of things 
brought about by his predecessor's energetic policy. Still, 
the credit of the good effected is none the less his. A 
short-sighted politician may not have recognised the 
necessity of reform; a narrow-minded one might have 
circumscribed its scope; a less energetic ruler shunned 
the labour it demanded; a less resolute have shrunk from 
the responsibility of so revolutionary a policy, or sunk 
beneath the weight of opposition it entailed. 

His measures, which gave him occupation for seven 
years, may be classed as political, judicial, financial, and 
social. There were now, as has been remarked, no visible 
enemies to subdue; for the brilliant successes which had 
attended the efforts of his predecessors had rendtred any 
formidable opposition to British power unpossible. Kever- 
theless, his reign was not entirely free from commotion. 
The storm, indeed, was over, and the wild dash of the 
billows had subsided; but the surface, so fiercely agitated 
by their fury had not yet settled down into perfect 
calm. 

The attention of the governor was early directed (1831) 
towards the doings of certain Mohammedan fanatics in 
the north, who, under the leadership of a fakir named 
Teetoo Meer, had determined to wage war against all who 
were not of their creed; and following this resolve, had 
committed the most serious barbarities. This was no 
sooner put a stop to than a far more serious rising of the 
people known as the Koles, who ^inhabited western 
Bengal, took place (1832). An ignorant and lawless 
tribe, they were not disposed to settle quietly down unde» 



1829-1835.] I«0RD bentinck's administration. 159 

that new order of things which British coD<3[aest had 
given rise to. Eventually, however, they veie forced to 
submit to the power which had now brought almost all 
India beneath its sway; and the wisdom of the measures 
adopted for their subjugation, is seen in the prosperity 
which now reigns in their provinces. 

The affairs of Oude and of Mysore and ether native 
states likewise engrossed attention at this time ; and the 
governor's policy in connection with those various nations 
forms the weakest point in his administration. His views 
were so eminently pacific, that non-interference vas carried 
beyond the limits of prudence. The provinces referred 
to were shamefully misgoverned; and, although the right 
of the government to interfere had been established by 
previous treaty, no action was taken except; to issue 
manifestos which appeared to be worth no more than the 
paper they were written upon. It was the same with 
Hyderabad in the nizam's dominions, whose government 
was in a condition thoroughly disreputable. With regard 
to Mysore, more prompt action was taken; but not till 
the extravagant conduct of its rajah had goaded the 
people into insurrection (1832). 

With greater show of decision, indeed, the district of 
Coorg was invaded and annexed to the British dominions; 
but, as in the instance of Hyderabad, the conduct of its 
rajah, whose doings were made known by his own family, 
who had been compelled to flee beyond the reach of his 
atrocities, was so revolting, that no governor with L-ord 
Bentinck's humanity coiild well withhold interference. 
This promptitude was not emulated in the case of Gwalior 
(1833) and Jeypoor (1835), at which latter place an 
English official lost his life in a factious quarrel. 

The pacific policy of Lord Bentinck is strongly ex- 
hibited in his intercourse with Runjeet Singh, the great 
Sikh chieftain, of whom mention has been made in a 
former chapter. His object was to renew those mutual 
assurances of friendship and good-will which, since the 
treaty of Amritsur, made between 1 im and Lord Minto, 
lie had hitherto faithfully preserved; but which, iinfor- 



160 HISTOBT OF INDIA. [CHAP. XXI, 

tu*,-<iely, his ambition now seemed Kkely to interrupt. 
1' le interview between this prince and the British governor 
"vas as imposing as its importance demanded; and the 
success attending it was due, in no small degree, to the 
urb^-nity and address of the governor, and the adroitness 
ke Lsplayed in affecting a simple confidence in the in- 
tegrity of the prince. 

We now come to a feature of Lord Bentinck's adminis- 
tration, in which his energetic character is seen to much 
greater advantage, namely, his social and financial reforms. 
In consideration of the tenacity with which a people will 
5 old on to its ' eligious beliefs, and the sacrifices they are 
ever pr^pare<i 'o make upon their account, it is the true 
policy of fs^ enlightened governments to abstain from 
active int«»r^*>jnce with the modes of worship and reli- 
gious ceremonies of the people who own their sway; and, 
to the honour of England it may be said that, excepting 
when the safety or comfort of the public has been 
compromised, or humanity shocked by the exercise of 
barbarous and revolting rites, she has ever loyally observed 
this liberal policy. Indeed, upon occasions, the principle 
has been pushed too far; and time was when not only 
was the Christian missionary discountenanced, but such 
vwremonies as the procession of the car of Juggernaut, 
•»^- "se ponderous wheels annually caused the streets of 
the cities to flow with blood, was countenanced and even 
supported by the British government. 

Among the most revolting ceremonies connected with 
Hindu worship was the practice of the Suttee, as it was 
termed, whereby widows were expected to burn them- 
selves upon the funeral piles of their husbands. The 
abolition of this barbarous practice had long been under 
the consideration of the various governors; but as yet none 
of them had seen their way towards effecting a reforma- 
tion, till the humane mind of Lord Bentinck determined 
him to deal with it. It was supposed, and not unnaturally, 
that the process would be productive of consequences of 
the most serious nature; and the most consummate skill 
Vould be required in dealing with it. But, the diff.cultj 



1829-1835.] LOBD BENTIITOK's ADMIKISTRATIOV. 161 

was boldly faced; and tWa outrage upon humanity dii^ 
appeared — ^never, it is hoped, to be revived. 

At the same time, a blow was struck at another, and 
a scarcely less revolting practice than the Suttee, liamely, 
that of Infanticide. It had been the custom of the 
Hindus, from time immemorial, to destroy iheir female 
offspring at the birth, as an offering to the gods. The 
chief supporters of this iniquitous practice were the 
Rajpoots, among whom it was carried on to such an pxtent 
that not a single female Was allowed to exist among them. 
The cherished desire of this people was, that they should 
be blest with male offspring; and the idea seems to have 
taken possession of their minds that every female child 
thus destroyed would return to them in the form of a son. 
The act of annihUation was generally performed in private ; 
but when the propitiation of the gods was especially 
needed, the infant wa& given into the hands of the 
Bnihmins to be solemnly sacrificed in the tempie of 
Ganesa, in order that its presiding deity might intercede 
with his father Siva in behalf of the parents. 

Attention had been already directed to this custom, 
and legislation tried; but hitherto with Httle effect. 
Registration of births was now rendered compulsory, and 
the practice declared to be murder. It may be doubted 
if, even with the adoption of such measures, the practice 
has entirely died out; but that it has been abolished in 
many districts, and in its great strongholds — the Rajpoot 
and neighboui-ing states — sensibly diminished, cannot be 
doubted. 

The suppression of yet another revolting practice be- 
longs also to the category of social reforms with which 
the administration of Lord Bentinck is identified, namely, 
that of the Thuggee. The Thugs were a Hindu sect 
scattered throughout India, whose choice avocation was 
the murder of travellers by strangulation. The barbarous 
practice took the form of a religious rite; and its devotees 
supposed themselves to be under the peculiar patroi^age 
of the goddess Kali. These miscreants pursued their 
bloody bnsiueBS with all that seal which religion usually 

ft 



163 mSTOBT OF IKDIA. [CHAP. XXI 

imparts. Their method of proceeding was to hunt down 
their victims, strangle them unawares, mangle their bodies, 
and bury them. The plunder obtained they shared with 
their patron goddess, whom they never blamed for failure, 
nor charged with desertion when, upon being detected in 
their nefarious practice, they were condemned to undergo 
the penalty of death. 

The existence of this horrible custom was not unknown 
to the authorities; but, inasmuch as its votaries were a 
secret society, the greatest difficulty was experienced in 
dealing with it. A certain fortuitous circumstance hap- 
pened to furnish the governor with a knowledge of their 
association; and action was immediately taken which had 
the effect of stamping it out of the land. The members 
of the fraternity were one by one arrested. The leaders 
were punished in various ways, and the remainder settled 
as a peaceful community at Jubbulpore. 

To Lord William Bentinck is owing the introduction 
of steam navigation into India, an institution which has 
been attended with untold advantages to the country. 
He likewise improved the condition of the natives by the 
introduction of the English language into the schools, and 
opened the public service to natives without distinction; 
and, in order that the country might enjoy the blessings 
conferred by a skilful practice of surgery and medicine, 
established (1835) a medical college in Calcutta. 

The financial policy of Lord Bentinck was dinected 
towards the curtailment of the Company's expenditure. 
The late wars had considerably swollen the Indian debt; 
and the need of retrenchment was so apparent to the 
directors, that the present governor had gone out sf ecially 
pledged to a consideration of the question. "With regard 
to the civil servants, the system of reduction was a com- 
paratively easy process; with the military, it was quite 
another matter; for experience had shown how dan- 
gerous a thing it was to interfere with the privileges of 
the army. Among these privileges was that of hal/batta, 
as it was called, an allowance long enjoyed by the army, 
consisting of certam emoluments over and abovo tbeii 



1829-1836.] ^RD bentinck's administbiwoit, 163 

UBual pay. The Court of Directors had again and again 
issued instructions to the effect that the extra payments 
which passed under this name should be abolished; but 
up to the present time, no governor had been found bold 
enough to obey the commands of the court; and when, 
at length, Lord Bentinck yielded to the pressure, the 
entire military world was in commotion, so that it needed 
all the firmness of the governor to avert a serious cala- 
mity. The gain to the Company was eventually found to 
be scarcely worth the risk they had run. 

Lord Bentinck resigned in 1834; and quitted India 
the following year. The duties of government were pro- 
visionally undertaken by Sir Charles Metcalfe, governor 
of the North-west Provinces. The Indian career of this 
gentleman had been one of long and trusty service; and 
his temporary reign is distinguished by the passing of an 
act which gave real freedom to the press of the country. 
The measure, however, was so offensive to the Court of 
Directors, that it was the means of putting an end to a 
career of usefulness, and of depriving India of one of her 
foremost benefactors. The displeasure of the directors 
was evinced by their refusal to appoint him to the presi- 
dency of Madras; whereupon he retired from the country, 
Hud took service under the crown as governoi of Jamrica* 



CHAPTER XXIL 

ADMINISTRATION OF LORD AUCKLAND. 

Ifission of Lieutenant Bumes — Jealousy of Russia — Siege of 
Herat — Proclamation of Shah Suja — Outbreak of the Afghan 
War— Capture of Ghuznee— Might of Dost Mahomed — Shah 
Suja enters Cabul — Exhibitions of Discontent — Assassina- 
tion of Sir Alexander Burnes — Critical Position of the British 
—Assassination of Mr. Macnaughton — Retreat of the Troops 
— Slaughter of the Khyber Pass — Heroic Defence of Jellala* 
bad by General Sale. 

The virtual successor of Lord William Bentinck waa 
Lord Auckland, who assumed the reins of government in 
the spring of 1836. His reign, which opened with much 
promise, is marked by one of the most inglorious strug- 
gles with which the British name is associated, namely, 
the disastrous Afghan war. 

So early as the year 1831, Lieutenant Burnes, an enter- 
prising young officer, and an Oriental scholar of no mean 
order, had been despatched by Lord Auckland's predeces- 
Bor on a friendly mission to Cabul. For certain reasons, 
he was favourably received by the Ameer, who gave him 
every facility for carrying out the main design of his visit, 
namely, the survey of the country; so that when he re- 
turned, it was with a mind stored with such a knowledge 
of the topography and resources of the country, as might 
prove of the utmost benefit in extending the commercial 
intercourse of England. 

It would have been well, perhaps, had the observations 
of this envoy been confined to a mere survey. Unfor- 
tunately, however, he had obtained a peep into the politics 
of the Ameer's court; and had conceived an exaggerated 
lM)tion of Kussian influence and aims in this region. Tlatt 



1836-1841.] ADMINlSTRATIOir OF LORD AUCKLAND. 166 

idea of a Russian invasion of India by way of this ancient 
trade-route, was by no means a new one; and her move- 
ments were watched with keen interest both at Calcutta 
and in London. The reports of this envoy served to 
strengthen the impression. NeverthelesB, the overtures 
of Dost Mahomed for an alliance were persistently 
disregarded by the governor-general; and the dreaded 
Europeans were permitted, in alliance with Persia and 
the chiefs of Kandahar, to lay siege to the important 
fortress of Herat 

The skill of its defender, Mr. Pottinger, prevented its 
capture; but matters had become so serious tnat they 
could not longer be abandoned to chance. The energy of 
the governor was thoroughly aroused; and he was deter- 
mined to act upon the offensive. There was at this time 
living at-Ludiana an exile, named Shah Suja, who, long 
before, had been deposed from his position as sovereign of 
Cabool by the present Ameer, Dost Mahomed. With 
him and the Maharajah E-unjeet Singh, Lord Auckland 
now entered into an understanding, the basi? of which 
was the re-establishment of the former upon the throne 
of Afghanistan, and the confirmation of the letter in the 
possession of Peshawar, which province he had wrested 
froui Dost Mahomed (1837). 

Meanwhile, Dost Mahomed, despairing of an English 
alliance, with regret dismissed Lieutenant Bumes, intend- 
ing to make overtures to Russia. The step about to be 
taken by the English governor was an unjustitiable one, 
and merited the signal ill-fortune with which it was 
attended. The English had no grounds whatever for 
interference in the concerns of Afghanistan; and the only 
excuse that the promoters of such an undertaking could 
offer was that of expediency. The truth is, tfiat both in 
India and England, a notion was prevalent tiiat Russia 
must by-and-bye be met either here or upon the plains 
of India; and the present policy followed from a desire 
to secure the more convenient of these alternatives: 

One of the finest armies ever equipped in India was 
assembled under the command of Uenerrw' Fane, and 



166 HISTORY OP INDIA. [CHAP. XXII, 

marched to Ferozepore, there to join that of Eimjeet 
Singh. While, however, the English commander and 
the Maharajah were occupied in an exchange of brilliant 
compliments, the threatened danger was averted; for the 
Russians, thwarted in their designs upon the Persian 
coast, had retired, and were retreating upon Siberia. 
There was now, therefore, sufficient excuse for Lord 
Auckland to retrace his steps; and had he been left to 
his own counsels, the step might have been taken. But 
the present policy had been advocated by some of the 
highest military authorities of the kingdom; and the 
nation in general, at least such as gave their mind to the 
contemplation of Indian affairs, approved it; and the ex- 
pedition went forward. 

After meeting with considerable opposition from the 
Ameers of Scinde, for which they were visited with a 
terrible retribution, the united armies of Bengal and 
Bombay, under the command of Sir John Keane, crossed 
the Indus; and, after marching through some miles of 
waste land, reached the formidable mountain system of 
the country. The territory was entered by way of the 
Bolan and Kojuk Passes, and Shah Suja, pressing forward 
unopposed, took possession of Kandahar. The English 
army had halted for awhile; and, when in a position to 
do so, the troops resumed their march, and the entire force 
pressed onward for Cabul. In its way lay Ghuznee, the 
capital of Mahmoud's ancient kingdom, with its formi- 
dable lines of fortifications; and this there was no means 
of avoiding. No serious opposition had been anticipated, 
and, in consideration of the nature of the country to be 
traversed, the army was unprovided with the necessary 
materials for a siege. The experiment of blasting was 
therefore tried; and with such success that considerable 
breaches were effected in the walls, and the place was 
gallantly carried at the point of the bayonet. 

Meanwhile, the troops of the Maharajah and other 
contingents were making" a triumphal forward march; and 
Dost Mahomed, scared by the formidable array of his 
enemies, expressed his willingness to come to terms. The 



1836*1841.] LOBD AUCKLAND'S ADMINISTRATION. 16? 

conditions of his adversaries were too hard for his accept- 
ance, and he chose flight to submission. A column was 
sent in pursuit of the fugitive; and, in the meantime, 
Shah Suja made a triumphant entry into Cabul. 

To gain for their protege a throne was one thing; to 
answer for the loyalty of his subjects was, however, quite 
another. It was thought that, as the power of Dost 
Mahomed had been broken by the capture of his fortresses, 
and the dispersion of his troops, no material resistance 
would be offered to the sway of Shah Suja; and, impressed 
with this notion, the greater portion of the troops were 
ordered back to India. It is indeed difficult to conceive 
what might have been the result had the entire force 
been withdrawn, and Shah Suja left to his own resources. 

The Afghans, far from being a homogeneous nation, 
were composed of a number of clans, each owning a chief 
whose allegiance to the Ameer of Cabul was a very 
nominal one indeed. In such a condition of society, it 
usually matters but little who may fill the office of lord 
paramount, provided only the position be obtained by 
means which the crude understandings of the people wouH 
interpret as legitimate; and had Shah Suja regained h^ 
lost inheritance by the argument of his own good sword 
it is more than probable that the various chieftains wouL 
have recognised accomplished facts, and given him theii 
fealty. This, however, was not the case. Their recognised 
sovereign had been first spumed, then dethroned, and 
driven into exile by a foreigner's hand who had espoused 
the newly-created monarch's cause, not for the purpose of 
delivering the land from the trammels of a despot, but 
for political considerations of their own; and the country, 
occupied by an alien army, presented the unwelcome 
aspect of a conquered land. 

The contemplation of the first was galling enough, 
the thought of the second unbearable; and the country, 
in consequence, became a scene of turmoil from end to 
end. Of these expressions of ill-will. Dost Mahomed 
was not slow to take advantage. Prompt action, how* 
ever, checked rebellion; and the deposed Ameer, utterly 



l68 HISTOBT OP INDIA. [CHAP. ZXIL 

nnsnccessful, was induced to tender his submission. There 
was, however, one who was not so disposed to submit — 
his son Akbar. This prince, taking up a position amid 
the mountain fastnesses of his country, gathered to hia 
standard all who, like himself, chafed under the domina- 
tion of the foreignera, and vowed their extermination. 

In the year 1841, or two years after the establishment 
of Shah Suja upon the throne, it was known to all who 
carefully watched the progress of events in this quarter, 
that the country was upon the eve of a serious rebellion, 
Cabul was fast filling with armed men; and expressions 
of impatience and discontent were everywhere loud and 
general. It is painful to contemplate the blindness with 
which the official mind at this time seems to have been 
smitten. Warnings were spurned, information disre- 
garded; a high-handed and parsimonious policy pursued 
with regard to those whose adherence was necessary to 
the maintenance of their position, and even the very 
safety of their own persons; and a thorough lack of those 
preparations for emergencies that should, in view of their 
equivocal position, have occupied a first place in their 
consideration. They imprudently surrendered the Bala 
Hissar which had given them command of the city; 
ofiended the Kyberies, through whose difficult and dan- 
gerous country they would have to pass in the event of 
retreat; ofiered unpardonable indignities to the native 
chieftains; dismissed the bulk of their forces; and gave 
command of the residue to General Elphinstone, a man 
entirely unfitted through age and infirmity to act in any 
case which might require decision and energy. 

The crisis came. Sir Alexander Burnes, the great 
advocate of the undertaking, and a most unpopular man 
with the Afghans, was the earliest victim; and his murder 
was the signal for a general rising in the city. The king's 
troops, which were sent against the insurgents, had to 
retire with loss; and so formidable a front did the rebi3ls 
by-and-bye present, that it was found necessary to recall 
the troops that had beeii despatched homewards. Few 
came; for the incessant assaults of the Afghan foes, and 



18361841.] LOBD AUC&LAND's ADMlNISTItATlOir. 160 

the snows of winter, had combined to interpose an im- 
passable barrier to their movements; and the British 
troops who had encamped in the plain country around 
the city, suffering fearfully from cold and hunger, were 
thus abandoned to their own resources. 

An attempt was made by Mr. Macnaughton, the envoy, 
to negotiate; but the terms offered by the chieftains were 
too preposterous for his acceptance; and it was therefore 
plain that a death-struggle was imminent. Nevertheless, 
the governor was minded to make one more effort in the 
direction of peace. Akbar was by this time the acknow- 
ledged head of the Afghan confederacy; and to him Mr. 
Macnaughton now turned with the view to a settlement. 
The crafty Afghan, while expressing his willingness to 
treat with the British envoy, intended to pursue a course 
of double-dealing; and the upshot was the treacherous 
assassination of Mr. Macnaughton by Akbar's own hand. 

No attempt was made to avenge this injury; and the 
rebels, gaining greater confidence from the quiescent 
policy of their enemy, increased their demands. Never- 
theless their conditions were agreed upon, indeed there 
was no help for it; and the British army, which num- 
bered some 5000 fighting men, and twice that number of 
camp followers, set forth on its way back to India. Its 
fate is well known. Overcome by cold, hunger, and 
fatigue, and perpetually harassed by the merciless attacks 
of the mountain tribes, the entire army perished amid 
the defiles of the Khyber Pass. The columns which had 
previously been despatched homewards, and which, as 
has been remarked, were past recall, met, on the whole, 
with better success. General Holt maintained his posi- 
tion at Kandahar, and General Sale, having thrown him- 
self into the ruined fortress of Jellalabad, maintained 
for many months a gallant defence against the assaults ot 
Akbar Khan, till relief was brought him by General 
Pollock. This defence of Jellalabad forms the most 
brilliant and glorious episode connected with this imfot- 
tnnate undertaking. 



CHAPTER XXin. 

ADMINISTRATION OF LORD ELLENBOROUOH. 

ContinQation of the Afghan War — Advance of General Follodc— 

Aj^prehensions regarding the Safety of the Captives — Oppo- 
sition offered by Akbar — Recovery of the Captives — With- 
drawal of the British Forces from Cabul— Close of the War 
— Quarrel with the Rajah of Gwalior — With the Ameers of 
Scinde — Defeat of Beloochees at Meanee — Victory of Dubba 
— Close of the Struggle. 

Lord Auckland had, meanwhile, been superseded by 
Lord EUenborough. A man of great decision, be resolved 
to make an energetic movement for the relief of our 
countrymen from the perilous position in which they were 
placed. A feeble attempt of the kind had been made by 
bis predecessor; but, inasmuch as it vm^ feeble, it failed. 
A considerable force was now placed under the command 
of General Pollock, who, carrying the fortifications of the 
terrible Khyber Pass, brought relief to General Sale; 
while another column under General English, proceeding 
by way of the Bolan Pass, performed a similar service in 
behalf of General Nott. 

Successful thus far, nothing stood in the way of an 
immediate advance upon Cabul. But, at this point, it 
appeared as if the decision of the new governor were 
about to desert him; for a retrograde movement was in 
contemplation; and it seemed highly probable that the 
hostages which had been left with Akbar would be 
abandoned to their fate. Fortunately for the welfare of 
these poor creatures, and for the honour of England, 
wiser counsels prevailed; and Generals Pollock and Nott, 
on whom the command devolved, were permitted to go 
forward upon their enand of merc;^. 



1842-1843.] UyRD fiLLEKBOBOUGH^S ADMINISTBAtJOll 171 

The safety of these ho*^'^ages was necessarily matter for 
grave apprehension. The British generals might march 
in triumph upon the capital and throw down the walls of 
the prison that confined them; but, what if its occupants 
were gone! Akbar, indeed, had gone so far as to declare 
that, unless the British forces were withdrawn and 
Jellalabad given up, they should be removed, and their 
locality remain a secret. Moreover, Cabul was even yet a 
scene of bloodshed and confusion. Shah Sujah was no 
more, and faction fights and assassinations were of per- 
petual occurrence within its streets. Might they not 
perish during one of these movements; or by the order 
of Akbar himself for the matter of that ! 

Such considerations, however, did not cause the British 
commanders to swerve from their determination to make 
a forward advance (1842). General Pollock's progress 
was opposed by Akbar; andj upon a field strewn with 
remains of the victims of the late unfortunate retreat, 
Briton and Afghan again crossed swords. Victory crowned 
our arms, and the road to the capital was open. The 
Bala Hissar was occupiedj and here General Pollock's 
division was joined by the brigade of General Nott, who 
like him, had overcome all opposition to his progress. 

The object ot their march, however, ha^ not yet been 
accomplished. Akbar had carried out his threat with 
regard to the removal of his prisoners from Cabul. For 
tunately, their destination was discovered; and pursuit was 
immediately resolved on. By the employment of bribes, 
the commander of their escort was gained over; and they 
were in time surrendered and brought back to the quarters 
of Sir Kouert rfale. There were thirty-two in all — thirteen 
women and nineteen children; and among them the wife 
of the heroic defender of Jellalabad, Lady Sale. 

The mission of General Pollock and his brethren in 
arms was now ended; and as there was no reason to 
linger in this unfriendly country, the troops prepared to 
withdraw. After setting fire to the bazaar of Cabul, 
destroying Ghuznee, and laying waste the territory of 
certain restless tribes, the countermarch began. ' The 



172 HISTORY OP INDIA. [OHAP. XZIIL 

movement was unacoompanied by any incident of import- 
ance. Desultory attempts were, of course, made by the 
tribes to harass the troops; but the opposition as a whole 
was feeble, and the army soon found itself within the 
more friendly confines of the Punjaub territory. The 
family of the deceased Shah Sujah, having placed them- 
selves under British protection, had accompanied the 
English forces (1842). 

Two miserable quarrels followed this inglorious expedi- 
tion into Afghanistan, one with the Rajah of Gwalior, 
and the other with the Ameers of Scinde, a tribe who 
inhabited the country watered by the lower course of the 
Indus. The former arose out of a dispute concerning the 
regency of the dominions of Scindia. Junkoojee Kao 
Scindi died (1843); and, leaving no issue, it was necessary 
to appoint a sovereign in his stead. For political reasons, 
the hold of the British upon this important Mahratta 
state was desirable; and the governor consequently took 
part in the election. The heat of faction was high, and 
the British troops were called up to maintain order. 

Now, the Mahratta army of Gwalior was one of the 
finest in India> and this importation of British troops was 
taken as a grave insult ; and the governor soon experienced 
the efiects of his policy in the refusal of the authorities to 
execute his orders. The army of Scindia, indeed, was 
preparing to measure swords with the English should they 
attempt to occupy their territory, and this Lord Ellen- 
borough was determined to do. The hostile forces met 
at Maharajpoor. The Mahratta position was stormed and 
carried; and Gw.ilior submitted. Beyond the necessity 
which the governor might have seen for the unlimited 
control of a state having a most formidable military force, 
there seems to be little excuse for this paltry, though, to 
some extent, brilliant contest. 

The quarrel with the Ameers arose from a different 
cause. During the Afghan war, the attitude of the 
Ameers had been in the highest degree friendly; and to 
this fact is due, in no small measure, the success of General 
Pdllock'i undertaking. So £ur £rom receiving » meet 



1842-1843.] liOBD ELLSNBOBOUOH's ADMIKIBTBATIOir. 173 

recognition of their friendly services, they were mort 
shabbily dealt with. 

Since the conclusion of the Afghan war, a treaty had 
been entered into with Dost Mahomed concerning the 
free navigation of the Indus. Now, as this river runs 
through the territory of the Ameers, its navigation by 
foreign steamers was a matter of great concern to them; 
and, though made parties to the treaty, a sense of help- 
lessness alone forbade their offering a sturdy 6pposition 
to its clauses. When, however, they began to feel the 
territorial and financial losses which it entailed, their 
sentiments were soon made known; and, in concert with 
certain Beloochee chieftains, they attacked the house of 
Sir James Outram in Hyderabad, and its owner barely 
escaped with his life. 

A conflict was now inevitable; and Sir Charles Napier 
advanced with an army, and met the Beloochees at 
Meanee. After an obstinate and bloody struggle, they 
were defeated, and Hyderabad was occupied. A subse- 
quent victory at Dubba, near Hyderabad, terminated one 
of the most disreputable conflicts in which it has been 
the misfortune for British arms to engage. The conduct 
of our countrymen provoked the war, and nothing but an 
unquestioned right to lord it over the whole Indian 
peninsula could justify the proceedings that occasioned it. 
It might have been dictated by a sense of self-preserva- 
tion; for threatening storm-clouds were without doubt 
hanging over northern India; and when, in 1845, the 
tempest broke in all its fury over the Punjaub, the 
strategic value of this territory became apparent. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

ADMINISTRATION OF SIB HENRY HARDINGX. 

CTiuwtisfactoiy Condition of the Punjaub — Ambitious Schemot 
of the Sikh Chieftains — The Sikhs unexpectedly cross the 
Sutlej — Sir Hugh Gough Engages the Enemy at Moodkee — 
Death of Sir Robert Sale — Desperate Battle at Ferozeshah — 
Sir Harry Smith defeats the Enemy at Aliwal — Defeat of 
the Sikhs with great slaughter at Sobraon — Annexation of 
Sikh Territory to the British Dominions — Treaties with 
Gholab and Dhuleep Singh — Treatment of Lall Singh. 

Lord Ellenborough was recalled early in 1844, and was 
succeeded by Sir Henry Hardinge. The new governor* 
general was a tided soldier; and had, at Yimiera, Albuera, 
Vittoria, Salamanca, and other memorable fields of the 
Peninsular war, earned laurels enough to content the 
most ambitious of military leaders; and there was there- 
fore every desire on his part to obey the standing injunc- 
tions of the India Board and let the land have rest. But 
he had fallen upon troublous times. The Sikhs, whose 
movements since the death of the great leader, Runjeet 
Singh, in 1839, had been an object of solicitude, now 
demanded the greatest possible vigilance and diplomatic 
skill. The alliance between our countrymen and these 
warlike tribes had never been cordial. Runjeet Singh, 
while he lived, observed faithfully the covenant of Am- 
ritsur; but it is doubtful how far his adherence to the 
terms of the treaty was dictated by a desire for friendly 
relations; and certainly the semi-barbarous chiefs, who 
acknowledged his sway, made little secret of their 
antipathy to the alliance. His death, then, removed the 
only bond of union existing between his countrymen and 
(heir European allies, and it soon became apparent (o 



1844-1847.] •» HENBT eabdikoe's AOMiiramnuTiov. 175 

fveij one, as it had long been to those who had watched the 
%Bdn of Northern India, that, sooner or later, our 
^jountrymen must cross bayonets with these their allies. 

An era of comparative disorder in the Punjaub fol- 
lowed the death of Runjeet Singh. His son and grandson 
successively occupied the throne; but their reigns were of 
short duration; and as there was no hereditary representa- 
tive to follow, the affairs of state were administered first by 
one adventurer and then another, till power fell at length 
into the hands of the ranee, Chand Koowur, an abandoned 
woman, Lall Singh, her unprincipled paramour, and Tej 
Singh, the commander-in-chief of the forces. The army 
had from various causes become well-nigh uncontrollable. 
Their pay had fallen into arrears, and as the public trea- 
sury was exhausted, there was no remedy at hand. A 
way out of the difficulty at length presented itself to 
these unprincipled rulers in the invasion of British terri- 
tory, inasmuch as they thought by such a move to gratify 
a popular desire, and to secure an abundance of spoil 
whereby the demands of the troops might be satisfied — 
for of victory they were never for a moment doubtful. 

The troops themselves, however, either because they 
were less sanguine than their leaders, or because they 
had interpreted the motives of their rulers aright, refused 
at first to advance. When at length they did obey the 
order, a force of 100,000 fighting men, the bravest and 
best disciplined army perhaps that had trodden the soil 
of India, appeared upon the banks of the Sutlej (1845). 
The consequences might have been serious indeed, but 
for the precautions taken by Lord EUenborough. That 
prudent statesman had, in anticipation of such an emer- 
gency without exciting suspicion, succeeded in massing 
40,000 troops upon the Lahore frontier. The movements 
of the Sikh army, however, were conducted with such 
consummate celerity and promptitude, that no resistance 
could be offered to their passage of the river. Sir Hugh 
Gough, the commander-in-chief was at Umballah when 
he heard of the movement. Without delay, he set off 
with all the troops he could muster, and bj forced 



176 HISTORY OF IKDI1« [CHAP. XXIT, 

marches, arrived at Moodkee. Here he met the enemy 
in force under Lall Singh, and a desperate battle ensued, 
which cost the English nearly a thousand men, among 
whom, unfortunately, was the gallant Sir Kobert Sale. 
The enemy, however, defeated, withdrew to their en- 
trenched camp at Ferozeshah. 

This position it was next determined to attack; and on 
the 21st December, having been joined by the troops of 
Sir John Littler and General Gilbert, the assault was 
made. The governor-general was present during the 
action, which commenced late in the afternoon. The plan 
of attack was injudicious; and, notwithstanding the 
heroic efforts of the troops, only a small portion of the 
works were captured ere night set in; and the combatants, 
resting upon the scene of their operations, assailants and 
assailed lay all night in close proximity to each other. 
The night was intensely cold, and a desultory fire from 
the Sikh batteries aggravated the discomfort of the 
situation. 

^At length morning came, to witness a renewal of the 
bloody conflict. The Sikhs fought desperately; but they, 
nevertheless, had to succumb to the continued and vigor- 
ous assaults of their adversaries; and the battle was 
already won for the English, when reinforcements for the 
Sikhs unexpectedly arrived, and the action was resumed. 
By this time our troops were thoroughly exhausted; 
and it was with sore despondency that they beheld the 
approach of this new enemy. Fortunately, their apprehen- 
sions were not verified. The Sikh commander at once 
ordered an attack upon the British lines. The movement 
had commenced, when a sudden panic seemed to seize the 
troops, and they retreated in disorder, leaving their enemy 
masters of the field. Victory in this^ the most desperate 
and bloody encounter that India had as yet witnessed, 
was of untold value to the English; for had the efforts 
of our countrymen ended in defeat, the consequencee 
might have been serious indeed. 

There were, however, other battles to be fought; for 
the Sikhs, though baffled and crippled, had not loii^ hopa 



1844-1847.] SIB HENKY HARDINGE'S ADMINISTRATION. iTT 

Rallying under Bunjoor Singli, they advanced in considei> 
able force against the important position of Ludiana 
farther up the river. Sir Harry Smith was at once 
detached to leinforce the garrison. The enemy lay at 
Aliwal; and, being joined by the garrison of Ludiana, 
Sir Harry advanced to attack them there. A brilliant 
engagement ensued in which the Sikh squadrons were 
Jk-andiy broken by the vigorous onset of the British 
cavalry; and the army, quitting the field, crossed the 
Sutlej in great haste. 

The battle of Aliwal was followed by that of Sobraon, 
where the Sikhs, under the superintendence of European 
engineers, had constructed a formidable line of works 
which were a menace to the British position at Feroze- 
poor. This, the most decisive action of the war, was 
also^he sharpest, most brilliant, and^ — so far as the enemy 
wei% concerned — the most sanguinary. The fortifications 
were carried by a grand assault, and the enemy, retiring 
before the advance of the assailants, essayed to cross the 
river. The guns which had been found useless for siege 
purposes, were now brought to bear upon the retiring 
columns, and were plied with such efiect, that thousands of 
the fugitives were shot down — their corpses literally 
choking the channel of the river. The British loss was 
likewise severe, amounting to some 3000 in killed and 
«70unded. 

This victory opened for the British the road to Lahore, 
which was forthwith entered. Sir Henry Hardinge might 
now have added the entire Punjaub to the dominions of 
Britain. He was, however, much more moderate in his 
exactions. The Sikh territories on the right bank of the 
Sutlej, together with the Julluhdur Doab, was the only^ 
territory demanded by*the terms of the treaty concluded 
between the victors aird the vanquished. Other clauses 
gave Cashmoj-€> over to Gholab Singh in consideration of 
the paymer.t of a military subsidy: and arrangements were 
made with the youthful Maharajah Dhuleep Singh — a re- 
puted son of Bunjeet Singh, concerning taxation, and th© 
»i».ture of the army he was henceforth to be permitted to 



178 HISTORY OF INDIA. [CHAP. XXIT* 

maintain. An fe«rmy of occupation was left behind; and 
the British troops returned, bearing with them 250 pieces 
of captured cannon which they were careful to display to 
the natives as an indisputable evidence of their success. 




THE ENTRY INTO LAHORE. 



Thus ended the great and well-nigh disastrous First Sikh 
War. Its chief author, Lall Singh, was more generously 
dealt with than his perfidy had warranted, being permitted 
to retain his office as minister, till his mischievous doings 
again threatened the tranquillity of the country, when 
lt,e was tried, deposed, and banished the Punia\H^r 



CHAPTER XXV. 

^a^MINISTBATION OF LORD DALHOUSIB. 

littTements of Moolraj— Outbreak of the Second Sikh War- 
Siege of Moultan— Shere Ally deserts to the Enemy — Battle 
of Ramnugger — Chillianwallah — Goojerat — Close of the 
War, and Annexation of the Punjaub — Sattara Annexed — 
Sir Charles Napier arrives in England — Sir Charles' Measures 
opposed by the Governor-general — Outbreak of the Second 
Burmese War — Annexation of Pegu — Settlement of the 
Affairs of the Nizam's Dominions — The Case of Palmer's 
Banking-house — Lord Dalhousie's Annexation Schemes — 
The Kingdom of Oude — Eeview of Lord Dalhousie's Ad' 
ministration. 

Sir Henry Hardinge who, with the other heroes of tho 
late war, had received due recompense from their sove- 
reign, returned to England in 1848. and the duties of 
government passed into the hands of Lord Dalhousie. 
India was now quiet; and the military and financial re- 
forms of his predecessor had been so comprehensive, that 
little fear was entertained of an interruption of this 
desirable condition of things. 

Short time elapsed, however, before these visions of 
peace were dispelled, and the Sikhs had to be dealt with 
jwiew. Moolraj, a Sikh chieftain had, for some cause or 
other, notwithstanding his known ambition and power to 
work evil, been left in possession of his dominions, in 
which stood the important fortress of Moultan. He had, 
it appeared, agreed to pay a military subsidy; and, on 
being pressed for it, had taken refuge in sham negotia- 
tions. His intentions were from the very first suspected ; 
but no adequate measures were taken for their frustration ; 
and at length two British envoys, Mr. Agnew and Lieut, 
Anderson, were brutally murdered i» the city by ma 



180 BISTORT OP INDIA. [cHAP. XXV, 

order. This act was, of course, i-egarded in tlie light of 
a challenge, and preparations were accordingly made to 
answer it. They were, however, so tardily carried on, 
and so manifestly inadequate, that the stamp of failure 
marked the undertaking from its very outset. 

Before the arrival of the main army, Lieut. Edwardea 
and other officers, acting on their own responsibility, had 
earned great renown by their promptitude and spirit, 
having already invested the stronghold of Moultan and 
defeated Moolrpj in several engagements. The force now 
before that city numbered upwards of 30,000 men of all 
arms — an imposing force indeed. It was, however, any- 
thing but homogeneous; and the defences were remark- 
ably strong. The siege operations had scarcely begun, 
when the magnificent army of the assailants was con- 
siderably modified by the desertion of Shere Ally to the 
enemy. This and other causes determined the commander 
to await reinforcements from Bombay. The delay was 
highly injudicious. The whole Punjaub was strewn with 
combustibles; and it required only the spark of faUTire 
to set it ablaze. The ranee had renewed her intrigues 
and the Sikh chieftains, at whose entreaties an army of 
occupation had been left in Lahore, expressed their 
anxiety for renewed warfare with their conquerors. To 
make matters worse, the kindling spark alluded to was 
not wanting. Moultan, indeed, fell; but the proti-acted 
character of the siege served in no small degree to injure 
the prestige of our countrymen, and to encourage their 
enemies. 

The Sikh forces now rallied to the standard of Shero 
Singh and his father, Chutta Singh, and prepared for 
action. Meanwhile, the commander, though tardy in his 
movements, had not been idle. A considerable ferce was 
got together which, in November, found itself face to 
face with the army of Shere Singh at Ramnugger, upon 
the left bank of the Chenaub. Here a series of indeci- 
sive actions, chiefly cavalry engagements, ensued; and 
Shere Singh eventually retired. It was only, howevw, 
In the purpose of taking up fresh ground. 



1848-1853.] ADMINISTRATION OF LORD DALHOtTSIB. 18l 

The spot chosen was Chillianwallah, a position of con- 
siderable strength, and one which, with 30,000 men at 
his command, the Sikh commander ought successfully 
to have defended. Hither he was, after considerable 
delay, followed by Sir Hugh Gough, and an encounter 
occurred which eclipsed in its ferocity and carnage the 
fight of Sobraon — but, unfortunately, lacking its decisive 
character. The Sikh positions were, indeed, one after an- 
other captured; but the troops were unable to occupy 
them, and, during the night, the enemy recapteed the 
guns that had been with great difficulty taken from them 
in the day's fight. 

Meantime, the siege of Moultan had been dragging on 
its slow length. About the end of January 1849, how- 
ever, just after the action at Chillianwallah, the place fell; 
and General Whish, who had conducted the operations, 
forthwith hastened to join Sir Hugh Gough. Shere 
Singh, aware of this movement, immediately set out to 
intercept him. 

He failed to execute his purpose, and the junction 
was consequently effected. The British commander now 
^und himself at the head of 20,000 men. Opposed to 
^m, Shere Singh, considerably reinforced, commanded 
50,000; and another and yet a bloodier engagement was 
anticipated. Taught by experience. Sir Hugh Gough 
resolved to employ his artillery more freely; for, in his 
recent actions, he had thought too little of this effective arm. 
It was soon evident to the British commander that Shere 
Singh, who now lay at Goojerat, was endeavouring to elude 
him, and contemplated making a wild dash into British 
territory. Sir Hugh therefore decided upon attacking 
his enemy without delay. The result of the action belied 
all expectation. The Sikh guns were quickly silenced; and 
the infantry, rushing up to their entrenchments, carried 
them one by one. Abandoning their position, the Sikh 
infantry fled with precipitation, followed by the cavalry 
of their victorious antagonists. The victory of Goojerat— 
well-nigh bloodless on the side of the English, a frightful 
slaughter on that of their enemy — decided the fate of the 



182 ttlSTORT Oir INDIA- [CHA?. XXT. 

Punjaub. Shere Singh, pursued and run to earth by 
General Gilbert, delivered up his sword to that officer 
within a fortnight of the victory of Goojerat; and the 
other Sikh chieftains following his example, the British 
had now no enemy beyond the Sutlej who could give them 
any serious trouble. The second Sikh war added the 
Punjaub to the extensive possessions of Britain in India; 
and thus the Indus and the Soliman Mountains became 
the actual — as they are the natural — western boundary of 
British India. 

A three years' peace followed the second Sikh war^ 
and this leisure was employed by the governor-general iL 
settlement of the affairs of the newly-acquired province, 
and in bringing Sattai-a, the last remnant of the ancient 
dominions of Sivajee, beneath the English sway. The 
independence of this Mahratta state had been established 
at the close of the Mahratta war in 1819, when its rajah, 
released from the confinement in which the Peshwa had 
kept him, was placed by British authority upon the 
throne. For prudent reasons, it had subsequently been 
found necessary to dethrone him, and to confer the honour 
upon his brother. In 1848, the rajah died without issue; 
and, although the deceased prince had adopted an heir, 
the arrangements were set aside by the government, and 
Sattara henceforth ceased to exist as a separate and inde- 
pendent dominion. 

But the period above referred to is more especially 
marked by the attention given to the military concerns 
of the country. The news which reached England con- 
cerning the progress of the Sikh war had given rise to 
considerable alarm; for, without attaching sufficient im- 
portance to the numbers, discipline, and bravery of the 
enemy with whom our countrymen had to deal, the loss 
of life and comparative failure atttending Sir Hugh 
Gough's operations were laid to a widespread disaffec- 
tion which was supposed to predominate in the ranks of 
the army; and Sir Charles Napier was forthwith despatched 
t6 take the command in chief. Long ere he set foot upon 
iiwiiaii soil, however, the brilliant victory of Goojerat had 



1848-1853.] ADMINISTRATION OF LORS DALlf0ty«I2. 18S 

decided the question, so far as the Punjaub was concerned ; 
but there was woi-k for him to do within the pale of the 
Bombay army. The fears entertained in England regard- 
ing the spirit at work among the Sepoy soldiery, were by 
no means groundless. Instances of insubordination, and 
e^en open mutiny, had occurred ever since the Afghan 
war; and causes were in operation which were likely to 
aggravate the disaffection of which these occurrences were 
the exponents. 

Sir Charles, with his usual decision, at once adopted a 
series of vigorous measures ; and had his operations been 
untrammelled, the main object of his mission might have 
been accomplished, and the tragedy of 1857 averted. As 
it was, he managed to offend the governor-general ; and 
a long and acrimonious paper warfare was maintained 
between these two distinguished officials, prejudicial to 
the interests of the nation. The contest ended in favour 
of Lord Dalhousie, who had received the support of the 
government; and, in 1851, Sir Charles resigned office. 

The three years' peace alluded to was disturbed (1851) 
by the conduct of the Burmese. The treaty of Yandaboo, 
which followed the late war with Burmah, had been 
chiefly made in the interests of the commercial world. The 
Burmese, unfortunately, had failed in observing its terms; 
and the complaints of British merchants had been loud 
and long. Remonstrance served only to make matters 
worse; and the governor-general, having no alternative 
left him but prompt action, despatched Captain Lambert 
with a man-of-war to Bangoon to demand satisfaction. 
The British flag was, however, insulted; and the governor 
became aware that there could be no settlement of the 
difficulty without an appeal to arms. 

In the spring of 1852, a force was equipped at Madras, 
which sailed for Bangoon. Operations were begun by 
vhe siege and capture of Martaban ; and this was followed 
by the reduction of Bangoon itself, which, after a brave 
defence, was carried by storm. The capture of Bassein, 
Pegu, and Prome followed in due course; and the 
operations vrexe, for a time, suspeiided, through need «l 



184 mSTORT OF INDIA. ^CHAP. XX7. 

reinforcements. A desperate attempt was made in the 
meantime to retake Pegu; but the place was well defended 
by Major Hill, who gallantly stood his ground until re- 
lieved by a column under General Godwin, when the 
besiegers retired from the province. With this retreat 
of the Burmese army from Pegu, the contest virtually 
ended. 

The immediate consequence of the war was to transfer 
to British dominions the province of Pegu — which opera 
tion was fortunately efiected at the earnest request of the 
inhabitants. Many difficulties at first stood in the way 
of the execution of a treaty, but. a revolution having 
occurred in the Burmese capital, the king was deposed, 
and a brother of his, more ready than he had been to 
recognise accomplished facts, was placed upon the throne. 
After some hesitation, the new monarch was induced to 
sign a covenant making over the province to the con- 
querors ( 1 853). It is now the most orderly and prosperous 
of the whole trans-Gangetic provinces of India. 

The affairs of certain Indian provinces had long been 
matter of solicitude with all parties concerned; and a 
settlement had by this time become matter of urgent 
necessity. This was especially the case with the nizam's 
dominions, whose capital city was Hyderabad. In order 
to understand rightly the condition of this state, it is 
necessary to take a retrospective glance at events. The 
nizam's dominions, from their position between warlike 
and restless states, had sufiered severely from the depre- 
dations of their neighbours; and this circumstance, 
together with a lax administration, had brought the 
finances of the dominion to so low an ebb, that it was 
found necessary to have recourse to a loan. There was 
a banking-house at Hyderabad bearing the name of 
Palmer & Co. (see p. 152); and to this house the nizam 
would have made application, but that he was prevented 
from so doing by an Act which had been passed for the 
purpose of preventing financial dealings between European 
and native princes. It was, however, considered necessary 
to modify the measure in this instance, and a loan wa9 



1848-1853.] ADMINISTRATION OF LORD DALHOUSIB. 185 

consequently negotiated. The privilege was continued 
to the Hyderabad house till the year 1820, when, yielding 
to the clamour of faction, the sanction of the Court of 
Directors was withdrawn, and the loan repaid. 

The effects of this proceeding had been to ruin the 
bankers, deprive India of the services of Lord Hastings, 
gravely offend the nizam, and to create a conditi i of 
confusion in the finances of the state which, up to the 
time of Lord Dalhousie's administration, had been pro- 
gressing from bad to worse. Deprived of a ready means 
of obtaining advances, Chundoo Lall, the nizam's minister, 
was compelled to borrow at most usurious interest. The 
land was fast running to waste for lack of capital, and 
disorder, robbery, and oppression were the normal condi- 
tion of affairs in this unfortunate province. The British 
government, to whom the nizam was considerably indebted, 
urged a settlement; and after many feeble and ineffectual 
attempts on the part of that prince to place his affairs on 
a firmer basis, it was resolved to take the matter up in a 
resolute spirit. A treaty was concluded between the 
British government and the nizam, by which Berar and 
other districts were assigned to English management 
(1853). 

xhe remaining years of Lord Dalhousie's administra- 
tion were devoted ^ a the consideration of this annexation 
policy, as it is termed Circumstances seemed to facilitate 
the carrying out of Ms schemes in this direction. The 
rulers of several provincep. appear to have died without 
issue; and, having neglected to adopt successors, their 
dominions were declared to have become forfeit; and in 
this way Berar, with Nagpoor, Jhansy, Oude, and other 
places of less importance were seized to swell the enormous 
territory of Britain in India. This policy was the subject 
of much hostile criticism at the time— its justice in some 
instances, and its expediency in others, being seriously 
questioned. 

The ' annexation of Oude, in particular, baa received, 
and will ever continue to receive, special attention at the 
bands of the political critic. It forms the most 8ombr« 



1^6 HiStOEY OF INDIA. [CHAP, XXt. 

episode in Lord Dalhousie's administrative career. His 
own ideas seem to have been at variance with the home 
government upon this point; and, had he been permitted 
to take his own course, the annexation might not have 
been effected, or, if at all, in a very modified form. He 
possessed, however, an exaggerated notion concerning 
obedience to command; and, in obeying the dictates of a 
tender conscience, he subverted his own private opinion; 
and, instead of relinquishing a false position, which a 
man of a different habit would have considered the most 
honourable course, he passively remained to carry out 
the behests of his superiors. Whatever blame, therefore, 
attaches to the transaction — his own individual ideas, 
notwithstanding — must ever be identified with his ad- 
ministration. 

The kingdom of Oude had long been in a state of sad 
mismanagement; and that something must be done had 
been evident to the governors from Lord Bentinck down- 
wards. The king had abandoned himself to degrading 
pleasures, and to the counsels of the most worthless and 
licentious companions; so that the time which should have 
been devoted to the benefit of his subjects, was spent in 
the most frivolous and even debasing pastimes. The evil 
influence of the court was felt beyond its precincts. Its 
ministers had become corrupt; and, under an effete ad- 
ministration, a condition of society was developing which 
threatened grave consequences to the province. Remon- 
strance had been tried; but, so far from altering the 
complexion of things, it probably aggravated them — inas- 
much as, unaccompanied as it was with the determina- 
tion to act, it had been regarded in the light of a simple 
protest; and thus this rich and highly favoured province 
seemed fast approaching a condition whence redemption 
would be impossible. 

The question was a very delicate one, and required 

serious consideration before the taking of summary steps. 

The exigencies of the case, it is insisted, might have 

been amply met by an assumption of the administrative 

•oiotaoxui only — ^for which operation precedent was not 



1848-1853.] ADMINISTRATION OF LORD DALHOUSIE. ISI 

wanting. Lord Dalhousie himself was of this opinion. 
Nevertheless, no such method was adopted. The authori- 
ties in England, overruling the moderate proposals of the 
governor and his counsel, decided upon the extinction of 
the dynasty, and the annexation of the dominion. In 
1866, therefore, the territory of the King of Oude passed 
into the hands of the Company. Whatever maybe said 
concerning its expediency, and however much the gross 
immorality of the court and consequent disquieted con- 
dition of the dominion may appear to condone it, the 
execution of the measure appears in the light of a piece 
of base ingratitude towards a dynasty, which, through 
evil report and good report, had faithfully observed a 
friendly attitude towards our countrymen. 

This much, however, may be said in behalf of the gover- 
nor-general — whose overstrained notions of duty rendered 
it possible—that the transaction was an error of the head 
and not of .the heart. For when, that same year, he set 
foot upon the deck of the vessel that was to convey him 
from the scene of his nine years' labours abroad, he was able 
to look back upon a varied career of glory and usefulness, 
illustrated not more by the triumphant issue of the Sikh 
war, than by the initiation of that system of railway, post- 
age, and telegraph, which has since been attended with 
such beneficial results. He was succeeded in office by Lord 
Canning, the then postmaster-general. 



OHiVrXEH XXVL 

ADMINISTRATION OP LORD CANNING. 

War with Persia— Battles of Mohammerah and Aliwaz— Tli« 
Indian Mutiny — Causes — Dissatisfaction among the Sepoy a 
— General character of British rule — The Greased Cartridge? 
—The Bengal Army — Preliminaries of the Mutiny — Outbreak 
at Meerut — The Insurgents take possession of Delhi — Spread 
of the K,ebellion — Precautionary measures adopted at Mean* 
meer, Ferozepore, Umballa, and other places. 

The first year of the new governor-generars administra- 
tion is marked by a short but sharp struggle with the 
ancient kingdom of Persia. For purposes of trade, and 
as a check upon the intrigues of Eussia, missions had 
been sent at various times to the Shah's court — the last 
being that despatched by Lord Minto in 1810, when Sir 
Gore Ouseley was made permanent envoy to Teheran. 
In 1838, or just before the Afghan war, encouraged by 
the European power above mentioned, they laid siege, it 
will be remembered, to Herat, which was successfully 
defended by Captain Pottingerj and, by a subsequent 
treaty (1853), the king agreed to make no further attempt 
upon the place. This treaty was faithfully observed till 
the period of Lord Comwallis's administration, when, 
after offering a series of gross insults to Mr. Murray, the 
British envoy, they broke faith; and, besieging the for- 
tress, captured it. Mr. Murray had previously quitted 
Teheran; and the governor-general was not slow to take 
up the gauntlet thus rudely thrown down by the Persian 
monarcL An army of 6000 men under General Stalker 
was despatched from Bombay, which forthwith attacked 
Bushire. The place was taken, and the entire artillery 
•nd ammunition of the place came into possession of thd 
viotort. 



18&4-1857.] ADMIKISYBATIOF OF LOSD OASVTSQ, 189 

Meanwhile, Sir James Oiitram had arrived j and now 
the struggle began in earnest. The Persian force was on 
•^its way to attempt the recovery of Bushire; and the 
British commander lost no time in advancing to intercept 
them. He fell in with them at Khooshab. The action 
that followed was a brilliant affair, and in it the Poonah 
horse and 3rd Bombay cavalry won undying renown — 
deciding, by their bravery, the fate of the day. The most 
celebrated and decisive action of the campaign was that 
of Mohammerah, a fortress situated upon a branch of the 
Euphrates, known as the Karoon (1857), where Prince 
Khan Mirza lay with a large army. The position was 
exceedingly strong, and considerable opposition was ex- 
pected in consequence. To the surprise of the commander, 
however, the enemy made but little resistance, and with- 
drew to take new ground at Ahwaz, higher np the river. 
This position was subsequently attacked by Commodore 
Renniej and its easy capture virtually terminated the 
war, 

By the treaty that followed, the Shah guaranteed the 
integrity of Herat, and the protection of British commerce, 
and bound himself to assist in the snppi'ession of the 
slave-trade. The good-will that has ever since existed 
between England and Persia has recently (1873) found 
expression in the cordial reception of the Shah by all 
classes in this country. 

The administration of Lord Canning is memorable on 
account of its association with one of the most tragic 
occurrences it has ever been the lot of humanity to wit- 
ness — ^namely, the Sepoy Mutiny (1857). We have now 
and then noticed the spirit of discontent and insubordi- 
nation which pervaded the ranks of the native army, and 
told how that Sir Charles Napier had been despatched from 
England as much for the purpose of grappling with Ae 
danger it foreshadowed as to supersede Sir Hugh Gough, 
to whose bad generalship the slow progi*ess of the Sikh 
war, and the fearful loss of life were erroneously attributed. 
We showed, too, the difficulty which stood in the way of 
reform, and how little he was able to progress with the 



190 HISTORY OP INDIA. [CHAP. XXVL 

task he had been sent out to perform. The spirit of dis- 
satisfaction and ill-wiir was widespread and deep, and 
the danger serious in the extreme. A critical period had 
indeed arrived; for our position in India was imperilled 
in a far greater degree than in the times of the Mahrattas, 
of Hyder Ally, and Tippoo Sahib. 

Many circumstances had joined in producing this mu- 
tinous spirit; and it is but fair to our rulers to say that 
many of them were entirely beyond their control. The 
process of conquest by which India had been brought 
within the dominions of Britain, was necessarily accom- 
panied by those evils and hardships which all enlightened 
conquerors may perhaps mitigate but cannot avoid. Con- 
querors of the Xerxes, Attila, or Tamerlane type might 
make short and easy work of all disaffection by the appli- 
cation of iron measures, such as might enter into the 
souls of the vanquished, but would nevertheless at the 
same time preclude all attempts to give expression by 
outward act. Of such like dealings they had had sad ex- 
perience in days gone by. Such a method, however 
convenient it might be, was utterly antagonistic to the 
principles and education of Englishmen, and could, there- 
fore, never be adopted. Hence a government of exces- 
sive laxity and toleration which the Hindu, in his pro- 
found ignorance might readily misinterpret as the offspring 
of indifference, indecision, or even fear. The marked 
deference the Company had always paid to the prejudices 
of the natives had been carried to so excessive a degree, 
that they had even opposed the introduction into the 
country of the useful customs of their own land. 

This non-interferent policy had been observed by the 
Company up to the period of Lord William Bentinck's 
administration. Time had been, indeed, when heathen- 
ism was encouraged, and the most revolting ceremonies 
actually protected by military guards. But a new era had 
come in with the reforms of Lord William and his suc- 
cessors. Admission was permitted to the missionary, 
schools were founded, the public service opened to natives, 
ftnd the time seemed at hand when i^ change in tho Qo& 



1854-1867.] ADMINISTRATION OF LORD CANNINa 191 

Btitution of Hindu society would come about. The very 
improvements introduced by Lord Dalhousiewere regarded 
by the ignorant as measures adopted with a view to ren- 
dering this transition sure and easy; and so the feeling 
of wuf auiness and suspicion fast gained ground. 

It has often been alleged that the Indian mutiny had 
its immediate origin in a fear lest the religious freedom 
of the natives should be interfered with. If such were 
the case, the disquietude must have proceeded rather from 
surmise than from actual facts; for, though government 
and other schools had been founded everywhere, religious 
teaching had been made optional in the one class, and 
entirely interdicted in the other. 

The determination to use certain greased cartridges which 
the employment of a new arm — the Enfield rifle — ^rendered 
necessary, contributed more than any other circumstance 
to impart to this rebellion a religious tinge. Indeed, it was 
regarded by many as a religious war; but the fallacy of 
the theory is surely exhibited by the fact that the emeute 
was almost entirely confined to the ranks of the Sepoy 
soldiery. The population in general abstained from taking 
part in it; while the native princes, as a rule, either 
observed the attitude of passive on-lookers, or sided with 
our countrymen in their efforts to reduce the rebels. 

"Whatever may have happened to fill the conservative 
Hindu with alarm on account of European innovation, 
these circumstances were certainly but secondary con- 
siderations. The primary causes were rather of a military 
than a civil character. A lax condition of discipline had 
long characterised the Indian military system; and the 
Sepoy regiments had been in a state of chronic mutiny for 
more than twenty years. Exhibitions of disobedience 
had been connived at or condoned; and each display ot a 
mutinous spirit, followed as it ever was by concession, 
tended to encourage, rather than allay it. In the words 
of a writer on the subject — *' At each successive act of 
indiscipline, the Sepoys became more exacting, and the 
government more yielding; till at length the obedience 
gf tlM natly* armj was little mort tk«B Aomim^ Oar 



192 HISTORY OP INDIA. [CHAP. XXVL 

native troops were cajoled by concessions and pampered 
by sweetmeats. The flattery distilled into their ears 
wonld have turned the heads of any body of troops, even 
if they had not been the Asiatic mercenaries of a foreign 
conqueror. Thus they were encouraged in the belief that 
it was to their prowess alone that we owed the empire of 
India; and they came at length to the conclusion that, as 
they had once conquered India for us, they might now 
conquer it for th(imselves." "^ 

Two most unfortunate conditions favoured the muti- 
neers at this time — namely, the recent annexation of 
Oude, and the reduction in the strength of the European 
regiments on Tndian service. The operation referred 
to had been effected without disorder, it is true; but it 
had nevertheless engendered a feeling of deep-rooted and 
dangerous discontent in the minds of the people. Unfor- 
tunately, the great bulk of the Bengal Sepoy army were 
natives of this province; and their sympathies would natu- 
rally be expected to go with their countrymen, who, from 
the highest to the lowest, considered themselves aggrieved 
and insulted by its forced annexation. Moreover, the 
regiments contained a great proportion of high-caste 
Brahmins, who, on account of their peculiar prejudices, 
had always been most difficult to manage. Such an 
arrangement, under any circumstances, would be expected 
to be perilous; and when the manifestations of ill-will, 
which from time to time had been but too apparent, are 
taken into account, the reduction of the European forces, 
to the proportion of one to five, by the authorities must 
be looked- u})on as injudicious in the extreme. 

We must, however, regard the introduction of the 
greased cartridges as the more immediate cause of the 
outbreak. A report had been circulated to the effect 
that the lubricating matter was composed of a mixture 
of cow's fat and hog's lard. It was a cjever insinuation, 
because the presence of the former ingredient would be 
certain to give grievous offence to the Hindu, who holds 
the cow in religious veneration; whilst the latter Was A 
• Marshman's Memoirs of Sir Henry Havelock, 



1854-1857.] ADMINISTRATION OF LORD OANNINa 19d 

gross insult to the Mohammedans with whom the hog is 
an abomination; and while not a few would see in it an 
insidious attempt at proselytism, all would regard it aa 
an insult to their religious convictions. 

The rebellion was heralded by a system of incendiarism 
which was carried on at Barrackpore, Umballa, Meerut, 
and other stations. The earliest open manifestation of 
discontent occurred at Berhampore, where a Sepoy regi- 
ment absolutely refused to receive the cartridges served 
out to them. The resolution of Colonel Mitchell pre- 
vented bloodshed, and the regiment was shortly afterwards 
disbanded. The news of this and similar exhibitions of 
an insubordinate spirit quickly spread along the Ganges, 
and the rebellion grew with a rapidity which would have 
been marvellous, but for the fact that the minds of the 
natives were prepared for it by constant brooding over 
imaginary wrongs, and by a careful dissemination of art- 
fully-woven stories regarding the designs of the English. 

In May, the rebellion began in earnest. At Meerut a 
cavalry regiment had refused, like their brethren at 
Berhampore, to receive the cartridges; for which act of 
insubordination eighty-five men were tried and convicted. 
A few days later this regiment, in conjunction with those 
at other stations about, broke into open mutiny, shot down 
their officers, set free their imprisoned comrades, massacred 
every European they could lay hands on, and set fire to 
the place. They then marched in a body to Delhi, where 
disaffection was known to be in the highest degree rife. 

Eluding the European troops that had been sent to 
intercept them, they entered the city and hastened to 
proclaim the king. Joined by the Sepoys of the place, 
they began to emulate the doings of Meerut, though with 
greater atrocity. Every European — man, woman, and 
child — found within the city was massacred in cold blood, 
and in the most barbarous manner. Lieut. Willoughby, 
with a handful of Europeans, gallantly defended the 
arsenal, committing frightful havoc among the ranks of 
the mutineers; but, overpowered by numbers, he was at 
length obliged to fly; and thus aa unlimited quantity of 



194 HISTORY OP INDIA. [cHAP. XXVI. 

military stores fell into the hands of the rebels. On the 
11th of the month, the mutineers, then, were in undisputed 
possession of the ancient Mogul capital, over which reigned 
once more a representative of the imperial house. 

It was at this trying crisis that the advantage of Lord 
Dalhousie's progressive policy was exhibited. The electrio 
wires, which he had caused to be laid, were at once set in 
motion, and news of the outbreak was received at Lahore, 
Ferozepore, and other important stations upon the very 
day of the occurrence. Upon receipt of the painful 
tidings, the military authorities of the former place acted 
with commendable wisdom and promptitude. At Mean- 
meer there was a native force of 4000 men, and another 
of 1300 Europeans with artillery. The Sepoy regiments 
were, without delay, marched unsuspectingly to a posi- 
tion in which they were confronted by the latter who 
were drawn out ready for action, with theii* guns fully 
charged. They were then ordered to lay down their 
arms; and, having no alternative, they of course imme- 
diately obeyed. Similar precautions were adopted at 
Ferozepore, where was an immense magazine — though 
not without bloodshed. Peshawar, Umballa, and other 
places were alike summarily dealt with; and thus the 
rebellion, though widespread, was in a great measure 
checked. 

Unparalleled exertions were now made by the com- 
mander-in-chief to raise a force sufficient to cope with the 
rebellion; and, by the beginning of June a mixed army 
of Europeans and Ghoorkas were assembled in front of 
Delhi, under Sir Henry BftE®ard* j^^aratory to an attack 
upon the rebels there* 



COAPTEB XXYH 

ADMINISTRATION OF LORD OANNINO (contmued). 

Progress of the Mutiny — Massacre of Jhansi — The Fugitives 
from Futteghur — Nana Sahib — His Treachery — The Massacre 
of Cawnpore — Danger of Lucknow — Death of Sir Henry 
Lawrence — Gallant Defence of the Residency— :Rout of the 
Mutineers at Futtehpore by Havelock — Cawnpore entered 
— Relics of the Massacre — Unsuccessful Attempt of Have- 
lock to relieve Lucknow — The Insurrection gains ground — 
Delhi invested — Arrival of Reinforcements— Progress of the 
Siege — Its Capture — Moral Eflfect of the Capture. 

Although the promptitude of the English officers had 
stifled rebellion in some quarters, their measures were 
unfortunately unsuccessful in others. At Mattra, Oude, 
Allahabad, Alighur, Nusseerabad, Neemuch, and^many 
another spot of tragic memory, the Sepoy regiments,* 
following the example of their comrades of Meerut and 
Delhi, shot down their officers and marched to swell the 
ranks of the rebel garrison of the imperial city. At Agra 
and Benares the movements of the disaffected were, for 
the present, checked; but at Jhandi a frightful massacre 
of confiding Europeans occurred, which rivalled in its 
atrocity the scenes of Meerut and Delhi. 

Futteghur, besieged by rebels from Oude, resolutely held 
out, till the place had become untenable — when the garri- 
son took to their boats and dropped down the river to 
Cawnpore. Here the most thrilling incident of the 
whole mutiny had taken place. The tragedy alluded to has 
been thus described: — "More deliberately treac];ierous 
than the catastrophe of the Black Hole a hundred years 
before — more intensified and prolonged — the fute of those 
wiio perished then forms a tragedy, so full of terrible 



199 HISTOBY OF INDIA. [OHAP. ZZ7II, 

misery, of teroic endurance, and the deepest pathos, that 
it will be read with a shuddering tribute of tears, to the 
latest generation of Englishmen."* 

The principal actor in this unprecedented drama was 
one Dhondoo Punt, who, under the name of Nana Sahib, 
or the Nana of Bithoor, will be remembered with execra- 
tion by posterity wherever the sad history of this rebellion 
shall be read. The nana was the adopted heir of the 
Peshwa, Bajee Bao, who, on his patron's death in 1853, 
had applied for a continuation of the pension which the 
government had, with too great generosity, it was thought, 
granted to the Peshwa. It was, however, withheld; 
and, from that time forward, the British had no more 
subtle and determined enemy in the Indian peninsula 
than this disappointed man. He became one of the fore- 
most agents for the dissemination of the most audacious 
falsehoods concerning the English throughout India; and, 
under the guise of a friendly exterior, contrived to hiii 
utmost to fan the flame of disajQTection, and to subvert our 
rule in the country. When the mutiny broke out, he 
was warm in his professions of loyalty and good-will; 
and it was earnestly hoped that he might be a ready, 
instrument in the hands of the English authorities in 
dealing out retribution to the insurgents. 

At this memorable station of Cawnpore there were 
some 4000 native troops; while, of Europeans, there 
were barely 200. In anticipation of an outbreak, the 
commander, Sir Hugh Wheeler, had strengthened the 
cantonment by a breastwork; and within this miserable 
fortification the Europeans — military and civil — to the 
number of 1000 souls took refuge. At first, the nana'a 
bearing was assuring; but as time wore on his treachery 
became only too apparent. The European position was, 
by-and-bye, attacked, but an effective stand was made 
for three weeks, when, supplies failing, and the gallant 
commander having fallen in a sortie made upon the 
besieging force, the defenceless garrison agreed to treat 
v\ ith the nana. It was a fatal step, and had the con- 
* Col. Meadows Taylor'g Manual of the History qf India, 



1854-1857.] ADMINISl^RATION Jt LORD CANNING. 19t 

sequences been anticipated, the garrison would ten times 
Booner have put their helpless charges to the sword and 
died in armour. 

According to the terms of capitulation, they were to 
make their way by boats to Allahabad. They were, 
however, no sooner embarked than a fire of grape and 
musketry was opened upon them from the shore. Four 
men only escaped the murderous ordeal by swimming; the 
rest were brought to shore — the men to be summarily 
butchered, the women and children to be subjected by- 
and-bye to the most revolting barbarities. And there is 
no more terrible memory of this painful mutiny than the 
Well of Cawnpore — the grave of our outraged country- 
women and children. The list of atrocities was swollen 
by the massacre of a remnant of the fugitive garrison of 
Futteghur, who, ignorant of the fate of their brethren, 
had suffered themselves to be decoyed on shore. 

Upon Cawnpore and Delhi and Lucknow was now 
centred the chief interest of this mournful occurrence. 
At Lucknow, the governor. Sir Henry Lawrence, had 
taken such precautions as he was able. He had fortified 
a building known as the Mutchie Bhowan; and here he 
took up his quarters in daily expectation of being called 
upon to defend himself against the attacks of rebel bands 
who menaced him on every side. Towards the end of 
June, the wisdom of his precautions became apparent. 
The insurgents, upwards of 2000 in number, had been 
gradually collecting at a station some eighteen miles fron) 
Lucknow, and their advance-guard was now at Chinhutj 
within ten miles of the Kesidency. Here Sir Henrj? 
Lawrence attacked themj but, being deserted by his 
Sepoys, and overwhelmed by numbers, his men were 
driven back with severe loss. In this engagement the 
gallant commander received his death- wound. The nor- 
mal effect of his failure was serious in the extreme; and 
the Mutchie Bhowan, no longer tenable, was surren- 
dered to the besiegers. The garrison now withdrew to the 
Residency, and there for months withstood a siege which, 
from the determination with which it was conducted, and 



198 HISTORY OF INDIA. [CHAP. XXVTI. 

the heroism displayed in its defence, must ever hold fore- 
most rank among the events of this awful period. 

Meanwhile, preparations had Been making for the 
relief of the devoted garrison; and on the last day of 
June, Sir Henry Havelock was at Allahabad at the head 
of a little band of Europeans and Sikhs. Thither he set 
out, and was met by the rebels in force at Futtehpore. 
His men, wearied with a long day's march, would fain 
have rested for the night, that with strength renewed 
they might face the foe in the morning. Their desire 
was not gratified, for the enemy was already advancing. 
The action that ensued was a brilliant and, so far as 
Havelock's men were concerned, a bloodless one. The 
enemy quickly fled, leaving their artillery and baggage in 
the hands of the victors. Havelock now advanced on 
Cawnpore with the hope of saving its unfortunate garri- 
son; but the nana, in anticipation of Havelock's success, had 
])laced them beyond the reach of succour; for "this band 
of Englishmen bright in their honour, and of English- 
women still brighter in their fortitude," were now no more. 

" E<ir)y on the 17th, Havelock's brigade marched into 
the station, and soon reached the scene of the massacre. 
Wliat was seen there, in all its sickening horror, need 
not be described again ; but was it marvellous that the 
mournful blood-stained relics, the little shoes and scraps 
of clothing, the deep well filled with fresh dead — caused 
every British soldier to make an inward vow of revenge, 
which to the last was sternly fulfilled? Over that well, 
now enclosed by a lich Gothic screen, stands an angel in 
marble, with folded wings and crossed arms, an emblem of 
the restof thedead beneath, who await the Lord's coming." "^ 

The success of Havelock's march was thorough; for in 
nine days he had fought and won four battles — commit- 
ting sad havoc among the ranks of the mutineers, and 
capturing many guns. The nana fled upon the approach 
of the victorious column, first to Bithoor, and then across 
the Ganges — so leaving General Neale in possession of 
the place. Havelock, with a force of some 1500 men 
* Meadows Taylor's Student's History of India. 



1854-1857.] ADMINISTRATION OF LOED CAJSmVQ. 199 

crossed the Ganges on his way to the relief of the garri- 
son of Lucknow. The attempt, for the present, unfor- 
tunately was a failure. His little band fought with a 
courage which the justice of a cause alone can impart; and_ 
the enemy retired before them from many a hard-fought 
field; but the season was upon the side of the rebels, 
and the gallant general was soon forced to fall back before 
a foe which no heroism, however exalted, could hope to 
withstand; for when he arrived on his retrograde move- 
ment at Mungulwar, sickness had prostrated a considerable 
proportion of his men. 

Nothing daunted, however, he returned to the task 
anew; and with a small reinforcement from Cawnpore, once 
more pushed forward. Again he was compelled to retreat 
— this time on Cawnpore, where he was able to render 
yeoman service to Neale, who was threatened by a con- 
siderable force under the nana. The nana was hopelessly 
beaten; but Havelock, despairing of accomplishing his 
design with such a handful of men, determined to rest 
here and await reinforcements. Those reinforcements 
were slow indeed in arriving; for the dissatisfaction was 
80 widespread, that such Europeans and faithful allies 
as were at command, were required either to watch and 
disarm the Sepoys, or to counteract their mischief when 
in actual rebellion. At JuUinida, Jhelum, and Sealcote 
the troops had mutinied and marched northwards into 
Delhi. At Lahore, the rebels were summarily dealt with. 
An attempt was made by the Agra Sepoys to get posses- 
don of the fortifications of the place. Benares was only 
saved by an exhibition of the greatest firmness ; and 
Azinghur by the prompt action of a wealthy indigo- 
planter of the district. The native soldiery at Peshawar 
rose in open revolt ; and, as the reward of their treachery, 
were, like their comrades of Sealcote, thoroughly annihi- 
lated. Bengal was for the most part quiet; but con- 
siderable uneasiness prevailed in Calcutta, and prepara- 
tions were made for the worst. The mere enumeration 
of these, which are only selected as being among the most 
prominent localities of disturbance, is sufficient to show 



200 



HtSTOllt OF INDIA. [CHAP.XXVIL 



how wide must be the area of operations, and how difficult 
the reinforcement of the relieving band under Havelock. 
While Generals Neale and Havelock lay thus inactive 
at Cawnpore, their brethren in arms were engaged in an 
attack upon the great stronghold of the enemy at Delhi. 
The investment had, indeed, begun early in June, when 
Sir Harry Barnard, having defeated the rebels at Budlee 
Serai, took up a position upon the heights overlooking 
the city to the north-west. The siege dragged its slow 
length through the months of June, July, and August, 




GOVERNMENT HOUSE, CALCUTTA. 

and no attempt was made at assault — ^for the place, strong 
both by nature and art, was in the hands of 30,000 trained 
soldiers with a well-stocked arsenal, in daily receipt of 
reinforcements, and their roads of communication open 
towards the south and east. Confident in their over- 
whelming numbers, repeated sorties were made upon the 
English lines; and though always gallantly repulsed, the 
British position was oftentimes in considerable jeopardy. 
Meanwhile, the English commander had been receiv- 
ing reinforcements from the west; and, by the end of 



1854-1857.] ADMINISTRATION OF lOilB CAN»lNO. 201 

August, his array numbered 8000 troOps of all arms; and 
a siege-train considerably strengthened by batteries from 
Ferozepore. This latter was brought in with immense 
difficulty, after a sharp conflict at Myjuffghur, occasioned 
by an attempt on the part of the enemy to intercept it. 
The batteries were speedily erected; and the clamorous 
din of fifty guns and mortars, belching forth an incessant 
storm of shot and shell, contrasted powerfully with the 
ailence of that forced inactivity which had characterised 
the last few weeks of the siege. Indeed, up to the pre- 
sent, there had really been no siege, but merely a main- 
tenance of position. 

On the 8th of September a contingent of Sikhs arrived, 
and swelled the numbers of the effective fighting-men to 
something like 10,000. On the morning of the 14th the 
assault upon the city was made. The well-directed fire 
of the English batteries had already demolished the mas- 
sive walls, and the breach was reported practicable. The 
assaulting columns were, headed by Brigadiers Nicholson 
and Jones and Colonel Campbell. The assailants were 
met with a perfect hail of musketry, but the advance 
was never checked, and the breaches were quickly carried. 
The Cashmere gates were blown in by bags of gunpowder 
heroically applied by Lieutenant Salkeld and other volun- 
teers. The stormers advanced, carrying all before them, 
and reached, at length, the inner defences. Meanwhile, 
a column under General Beid had been so unsuccessful 
that it had to retire and find refuge within the British 
lines. Nevertheless, nothing daunted, either by the 
failure of their comrades, or by the difficulties which lay 
before them, the assailants pressed onwards. 

The city was obstinately defended; and as the attack- 
ing columns pushed their way through the thoroughfares 
of the city, they had to run the gauntlet of an incessant 
and murderous fire from the loop-holed buildings which 
lined them. In carrying one street, in particular, the 
loss was heavy; and the gallant Nicholson was borne to 
the rear mortally wounded. 

Notwithstanding the exertions of the troops, Delhi 



202 HISTORY OP INDIA. |CHAP. XXVII. 

was not yet won. The chief strongholds were still in the 
hands of the enemy; and difficulties lay in the way of 
the British advance calculated to make the boldest pause. 
Kevertheless, the onset never slackened. Tho artillery 
was brought up, and the enemy's position vigorously 
shelled. The magazine was captured; and, step by step, 
the English advanced. The Burn Bastion, the scene of 
Reid's late failure and the strongest point of the fortifi- 
cation was carried, and the Lahore and Delhi gates falling, 
left the king's palace open to the assailants. The king, 
being captured by Lieutenant Hodson, was brought to 
the palace. His son and grandson were subsequently 
taken, and put to death as agents of the rebels. 

Six days of hard fighting had been employed in the 
capture of this stronghold ; but when, at length, the work 
was done, it was found to be so complete that not a rebel 
soldier is said to have remained alive within it. The 
retribution was sharp, and the destruction of life among 
the rebels great; but then the provocation had been great 
likewise; and tender dealing with those who, having 
eaten our bread had taken up arms against us, would, at 
such a juncture, have been highly injudicious. To the 
honour of the victors, however, there was no indiscrimi- 
nate slaughter. The civil population was left compara- 
tively unmolested; and, if the place was plundered and 
devastated, it was because the efforts of the officers Vera 
powerless to restrain the violence of a soldiery whose 
passions had been roused to a pitch of perfect frenzy. 

The capture of Delhi, which had cost the English and 
their native allies the lives of close upon 4000 men, left 
the besiegers at liberty to march to the assistance of their 
comrades of Cawnpore. The unexpected success at Delhi, 
although it did not end the struggle, had given the rebellion 
its death blow. It taught those Sepoys, who as yet had 
remained seemingly loyal, the hopelessness of the cause 
of their mutinous comrades ; and native princes who 
were ready to declare for the rebels upon the first gleam 
of real success began to offer, some their congratulations, 
others their services in quelling the insurrection. 



CHAPTEH XXVIII. 

ADMINISTRATION OF LORD CANNING {continued). 

The Flying Columns — Havelock's Advance— Battle of the Allum- 
bagh — Havelock brings Eelief to the Lucknow Garrison — 
Sir Colin Campbell advances to relieve the Garrison — He 
withdraws to Cawnpore — Defeat of the Gwalior Eebels 
under Nana Sahib and Tantia Topee — Suspension of Opera- 
tions — Sir Colin's Celebrated Campaign — Capture of the 
Eebels' Strongholds in Lucknow — Sir Hugh Eose's Campaign 
— Dispersion of the Eebel Bands — Circumscribed Character 
of the Eebellion — End of the Mutiny. 

The various columns that quitted Delhi on their errand of 
mercy had yet work to do before reaching Cawnpore. Agra, 
threatened by a large insurgent force from Dholpore, was 
saved by the timely action of Colonel Greathed; and 
another column under Brigadier Thomas employed itself 
in clearing the country of the rebel bands that threatened 
it. Indeed, the country seemed to be filled with flying 
columns, whose doughty deeds helped not a little towards 
the ultimate victory of our arms, and brought forth into 
the light of day many a name heretofore obscure, but 
now a household word among us. 

The little band under Havelock and Neale had been 
inactive spectators of the struggle — burning to , advance 
to the rescue of their countrymen at Lucknow, but unable 
from want of means to show themselves beyond the walls 
of their fortress. Ere the great stronghold of Delhi had 
been levelled, Sir James Outram arrived with reinforce- 
ments from Calcutta; and, in a few days, an English 
column crossed the Ganges under Sir Henry Havelock, 
Sir James Outram, who had been appointed commander- 
.in-chief of the Cawnpore and Dinapore stations, chival- 



204 filSfOflT OF IlfDlA. [chap. XXVIII. 

rously waiving his rank and serving as a volunteer under 
him. The principal episode that occurred upon the line 
of march was the fight of the Allumbagh, whence the 
rebels were driven towards Lucknow. Arrived at Luck- 
now, a severe contest — such as that which marks the 
closing days of the siege of Delhi — took place. The 
attack, however, was successful. The enemy's position 
was carried; and the devoted garrison, who had so long 
and bravely struggled on against such mighty odds — at 
first hoping against hope, and anon fighting with that 
desperate valour which belongs to men who behold them- 
selves face to face with death — received their triumphant 
fellow-countrymen with grateful welcome. 

This arrival of Havelock was, however, rather a rein- 
forcement than a relief from the dangers threatening 
them. The brave general had, by sheer hard fighting, thus 
joined hands with his devoted comrades of the Residency. 
The rebels, notwithstanding, manifested no disposition to 
retire from the siege; and the utmost the reinforced 
garrison could do was to await still further succour, 
which the almost daily arrivals from England gave them 
good reason to hope for. 

Yet for two months longer had this devoted band to 
maintain themselves against the overwhelming numbers 
of their enemy; for it was not till the end of October 
that Sir Colin Campbell, who had been appointed com- 
mander-in-chief, left Calcutta for its relief. Tn the course 
of a week he arrived at Cawnpore, whence he set out to 
join the garrison of Allumbagh. The junction effected, he 
saw himself at the head of 4500 men. No time was lost 
in commencing operations; and Sir Colin having, through 
the daring feat of an officer named Kavannagh, entered 
into communication with the garrison at Lucknow, began 
the attack. Point after point of the fortress was captured ; 
and, after three days' hard fighting, the Besidency was 
reached. Two days later, the sick and woimded were 
removed to the Sikunder Bagh, and the next day the 
position so long and so nobly defended was abandoned. 
The joy of the rescued garrison was damped by the death, 



1858-1859.] ADMINISTRATION OF LOED CANNINGU 205 

by dysentery, of the gallant Havelock, wliicli occurred at 
the Dilkooshee on the 25 th November. The commander's 
object had simply been the relief of the garrison; and 
this had been effected by the process of bringing them 
from the Residency to the safer position of the Allum- 
bagh. The means at his command were not adequate to 
a general attack upon the place; so, leaving General 
Outram with a division at Aliumbagh, Sir Colin retraced 
his steps to Cawnpore. 

The speedy withdrawal of Sir Colin to Cawnpore was 
mainly occasioned by the movements of the rebels in that 
quarter. The Gwalior contingent, which had hitherto 
made no sign, were at this time assembled, to the number 
of 20,000 well-trained men under Nana Sahib and Tantia 
Topee, and on their way to attack the garrison of Cawn- 
pore. General Wyndham, the commander of the place, 
on hearing of their approach, sallied out to meet them; 
but he met with so unexpected a reverse, that he was 
compelled to quit the town and take refuge behind the 
entrenchments. Here, however, the success of the muti- 
neers ended; for having sustained a defeat at the hands 
of Sir Colin and Sir Hope Grant, the rebels dispersed, 
leaving a splendid park of artillery in the hands of their 
vanquishers. It is matter of satisfaction to find that the 
fugitives from Lucknow arrived in safety at Allahabad. 

The first two months of the year 1858 were spent by 
Sir Cohn Campbell in making preparations for a great 
campaign in Oude and E-ohilcund. Operations against 
the insurgents were however suspended during this j^eriod. 
Sir James Outram had crossed swords with the insurgents 
at Lucknow; and a victorious affair had occurred at Kallee 
Muddee, whereby Futteghur was captured. The strong 
fortress of Aw ah in Rajpootana was taken by General 
Koberts; and Sangur in Central India, defended for a 
half year by faithful Sepoys, was relieved by Sir Hugh 
Hose; while, at Muncliscor, General Stuart, by routing :* 
rebel force, relieved Neemucli, 

Towards the end oi February, Sir Colin's celebrated 
campaign began. Joined by Jung Bahadur with 10,000 



20C 



BISTOBT or INDIA. [OBAP. XZinil. 



Ghoorkas from Kepanl, he had with him an imposing 
array of 50,000 men and 160 guns. His great object 
was the capture of Lucknow; and thither his march was 
directed. The Bilkooshee Palace was captured with ease, 
and the bombardment was not long delayed. Position 
after position — ^the Martini^se, the Begum Cotee, the 
Kaiser Bagh, Mutchie Bhowan, Imambarra, and Moosee 
Bagh, familiar names enough to those who can remem- 
ber this eventful period — was carried; and, within the 
space of eleven days, the whole of the city and fortifica- 
tions were in the hands of the besiegers, whose losses, 
considering the arduous character of the operations were 
exceedingly smalL 





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^: 






i^^S 


ssr^:s=rrn==== _^:^ 






mm 




^^^^~Z =^^-^ ^c^,^,^c 



LUCKNOW. 

The two great centres of the rebellion — Delhi and 
Lucknow — having fallen, the mutiny was virtually sup- 
pressed ; and it now only remained to deal with the 
fugitive bands that were abroad in the country, and to 
reduce the rebel strongholds of RohUcund, Rajpootana, 
andOentral India. The principal leaders of the rebels 
at this tima were Khan Bahadur, Khan Koer Singh, 



1858-1859.] ADMINISTRATION OF LORD CANNING. 201 

Prince Feroze of Delhi, the Moulv^ee of Fyzabad, the 
Nana of Bithoor, Tantia Topee, the Begum of Oude, and 
the Ranee of JhansL 

The operations in Central India were conducted by Sir 
Hugh Bose; and his campaign in the hill country about 
Malwah and Bundelcund, is one of the most interesting 
features of the contest. Early in April he attacked the 
ranee's stronghold; and, beating off a relieving column 
under Tantia Topee, captured one of the strongest bul- 
warks of the insurgents in this part of India. The ranee 
escaped; but a terrible vengeance was taken upon her 
rebel followers for the cold-blooded massacre of our coun- 
trymen ten months before. The ranee was pursued, but 
was not overtaken till she had joined Tantia Topee. A 
series of combats ensued; and Kalpee, their stronghold, 
was taken; but both escaped. The terrific heat of the 
weather checked pursuit; and their scattered bands were 
permitted to unite and take possession of Gwalior, where 
Nana Sahib was proclaimed Peshwa. Thither, in due 
time, they were pursued by Sir Hugh, who, after four 
days' bombardment, captured their stronghold and rein- 
stated the loyal Scindia, who, through the mutinous spiiit 
of his troops, had been compelled to flee from the place. 
The ranee was killed during the siege. The nana and 
Tantia Topee managed to escape; and, though pursued 
and defeated at Alipoor, they still maintained a head, till, 
hunted from place to place by Majors Holmes and Meade, 
Tantia surrendered to the latter. He was tried by couru- 
martial and hanged in April 1859. 

Koer Singh, after defeating a body of English under 
Captain de Grand, was killed at Jugdispoor, which for- 
tress had been laid siege to by Sir E. Layard. Nana 
Sahib made good his escape northwards, and took refuge 
amid the jungles of Nepaul, where, shortly afterwards, he 
is said to have died. The Begum of Oude sought asylum 
in the same wild region. Some of the insurgent chiefs 
submitted. There consequently remained no organised 
resistance; and the operations were henceforth of so desul- 
tory a character, that they could no longer be characterised 



208 HISTORY OF INDIA. [CHAP. XXVIII. 

as a campaign, as they had for their object merely the 
dispersion of bands rendered desperate by failure, and 
the prospect of retribution. 

-Ajid thus the great Sepoy rebellion was stamped out. 
It was a gloomy page in the history of India, blotted 
with deep dark spots, but relieved here and there by 
discs of matchless brightness. Self-abnegation, fortitude, 
Christian patience, noble devotion, and exalted heroism 
stand boldly out against the dark background of 
anarchy and rebellion, with its blurs and blots of 
treachery and untold cruelty, illuminating its surface 
with a radiance that shall never fade. For if, in such 
miscreants as the Nana, Lukshmere Bye, the Kanee of 
Jhansi, the King of Delhi, the Moulvee of Fyzabad, and 
their fiendish followers, the worst phases of human char- 
cioter are exhibited, the claims of humanity to the 
[)roud position of the Almighty's noblest handiwork are 
well upheld by such men as Outram, Ha.velock, Campbell, 
Rose, Lawrence, Kavannagh, Salkeld, and a host of 
heroes whose noble deeds shall be remembered and 
recorded wherever the force of example may be needed 
to spur the timorous to honour and duty, or to sustain 
the wretched under severest trial. 

One of the most agreeable features of this untoward 
event was the attitude of the Hindu people generally, 
and the fidelity with which the native rulers, as a whole, 
observed the compacts into which they had severally 
entered with their conquerors. There was no disturbance 
south of the l!^erbudda. The people of the provinces 
so lately annexed, several of the Sepoy regiments, notably 
those at Lucknow, our ancient enemies the Mahrattas, 
with Scindia and Holkar, and many another people whom 
we had often met in the field of battle, and had vanquished 
in desperate strife, so far from availing themselves of the 
opportunity the insurrection seemed to furnish them for 
regaining their lost independence, or avenging past in- 
juries, were either strictly neutral, or indefatigable in the 
aid they ofiered the English in bringing the rebels to 
justice and re-establishing order. 



1858-1859.] ADMINISTRATION OP LORD CANNINa 209 

These exhibitions of fidelity were even surpassed by 
the conduct of the Sikhs. The noble devotion with 
which these lately conquered people followed our standard 
is unique in the history of the world. It was the highest 
possible exhibition of political honesty, and forms, with 
the subsequent rejoicing which, upon the suppression of 
the revolt, prevailed among all peace-loving society, the 
highest tribute to the benignity of our rule, or at least 
to the power and wisdom of our race. If the insurrec- 
tion had been associated with no more pleasing memories 
Jthan these, the blood of our heroic and long-suffering 
countrymen and countrywomen would not have been 
■bed in Tain. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

ADMINISTRATION OF LORD CANNING (amcluded) — LORD 
ELGIN — SIR JOHN LAWRENCE — LORD MAYO — LORD 
NORTHBROOK. 

Reconstruction of "the Indian Government — Lord Palmerston's 
attempt at Legislation — Mr. Disraeli's Measure — The Queen's 
Proclamation to the Natives — Lord Canning's Measures in 
India — Appointment of a Minister of Indian Finance — 
Famine in the North-west Provinces — Lord Elgin Succeeds 
to the Government — Sir John Lawrence's Administration — 
War with Bhotan — Famine in Orissa — Petty Warfare with 
HiU Tribes — Appointment of Lord Mayo — His Measures — 
His Assassination — Lord Northbrook — The Bengal Famine. 

The occurrence of this insurrection gave occasion for a 
reconstruction of the government of India. The term of 
the Company's reign had expired; and, in face of events, 
the question was raised as to the expediency of the 
renewal of a further lease of sovereign power to an 
association whose rule had culminated in so serious a 
calamity. Moreover, the position of the Company was 
to the last degree equivocal — depending as it did upon 
Parliament for its tenure of power, and sharing with the 
crown the administration of ths affairs of the dominion. 
The rebellion had conferred one benefit at least, in that it 
had shown the mischievous character of a dual govern- 
ment. The very term — suggestive as it is of divided 
responsibility — is ominous. -This, however, was perhaps 
not now perceived for the first time; but great reforms 
are seldom undertaken till their absolute necessity becomes 
manifest by means of some unpleasant visitation; and so 
it was in this case. 

The remiudey h^4 com© in a terrible form, and could 



1859-1875.] ADMINISTRATION OF LORD CANNING. 

no longer be disregarded. In February 1858, Lord Pal- 
merston obtained leave to introduce a bill transferring 
tbe government of India, with all tbe Company's public 
property to the Queen. His subsequent defeat on the 
Conspiracy Bill, and consequent resignation prevented 
the accomplishment of his design; but the matter was 
taken up by his successor in office; and in March next, 
Mr. Disraeli asked permission to bring in a similar mea- 
sure. This became law in the following August; and the 
immense empire of India thus became a portion of the 
dominions of the United Kingdom. The Queen's pro- 
clamation was issued — a portion of which was translated 
into the vernacular languages of India, read in every 
native court, and widely circulated among all classes of 
the people. It partly ran as follows : — " It is our further 
will that, so far as may be, our subjects, of whatever race 
or creed, be freely and impartially admitted to offices in 
our service, the duties of which they may be qualified by 
their education, ability, and integrity, duly to discharge. 
We honour and respect the feelings of attachment with 
which the natives of India regard the lands inherited by 
them from their ancestors, and we desire to protect them 
in all rights connected therewith, subject to the equitable 
demands of the state; and we will see that, generally, in 
framing or administering the law, due regard be paid to 
the ancient rights, usages, and customs of India." 

While measures were being taken in England for the 
future management of Indian affairs, Lord Canning in 
India had not been idle. His attention had been directed 
chiefly towards Oude, the focus of the rebellion; and, by 
way of punishment to those landowners, or talookdars, 
as they were termed, who had taken part in the rebellion, 
he issued a proclamation to the effect that, with the ex- 
ception of the few who had remained loyal, the lands were- 
forfeit to the British government. The measure caused 
great outcry at first, and among its opponents were the 
upright Sir James Outram, and Lord Ellenborough, Pre- 
sident of the Board of Control, The introduction of it, 
however, was so judicious, and its terms enforced in so 



212 BISTORT OF mniA, [chap. zxix. 

calm and conciliatory a manner, tliat its wisdom was 
made apparent to all concerned ; and the submission of 
the landowners was thus peaceably secured. 

Subsequently, by the aid of the new legislative council — 
whose appointment was concurrent with the passing of 
the bill transferring the government of the country from 
the hands of the Company to the Crown — many important 
and beneficial measures were introduced, chiefly of an 
industrial and financial character, the carrying out of 
which was greatly facilitated by the appointment of an 
Indian Finance Minister in the person of Mr. Wilson. 
At the same time, an amalgamation was effected of the 
Queen's and Company's (Sudder) courts — a measure which 
the change from the dual to a single government necessi- 
tated. 

The public works, which had been necessarily suspended 
during the progress of the mutiny, were resumed upon 
the restoration of peace and order; and the construction 
of railways, roads, canals, and public buildings made fast 
progress. The latter part of Lord Canning's administra- 
tion, however, is marked by an unfortunate occurrence — 
namely, a grievous famine which visited the north-western 
provinces; and notwithstanding the most strenuous exer- 
tions on the part of the officials and private individuals, 
carried oft half a million of human beings. 

Lord Canning left for England in June 1862, and was 
succeeded by Lord Elgin, whose term of office extended 
over little more than a year. No event of importance 
marks his brief administration, excepting certain con- 
spiracies of Mahratta fanatics — the Wahabees of Patna, 
the Santals of the Bengal frontier, and the Sittanas 
who dwell upon the borders of Afghanistan and the 
Punjaub. Though productive of some uneasiness at the 
time, these occurrences were suppressed without much 
difficulty by Sir Hugh Rose. 

Lord Elgin was succeeded by the Indian veteran, Sir 
John Lawrence, who arrived in India early in 1864. 
The reforms of this governor were eminently of a sanitary 
character. la the carrying of them out, he well-nigh 



1864-1876.] ADMINISl'BAtlON OP SIR JOHN LAWEENCB. 213 

raised a storm among the natives, who, averse to the 
burial of their dead, were in the habit of casting their 
corpses into the rivers, to the manifest preijudice of the 
living. The most stirring occurrence during the adminis- 
tration of Sir John Lawrence was a war with Bhotan, a 
hill country to the east of Nepaul (1865). It arose from 
a dispute concerning the payment of a tribute, which, 
after the annexation of Assam, was promised in considera- 
tion of the keeping open of certain passes, called Dowars, 
at the foot of the Himalayas in this quarter. The opera- 
tions were badly conducted; and, though the British were 
eventually successful, it scarcely compensated for the loss 
of life from the ravages of the climate, and of prestige 
among the native population. 

The reign of Sir John Lawrence is marked, like that 
of his predecessor, by a devastating famine (1866). On 
this occasion, the province of Orissa was the scene of this 
fearful visitation. Unfortunately, no preparations had 
been made to meet it; and the sacrifice of life quadrupled 
that in the north-west — ^reaching the enormous figure 
of two millions. These visitations served to direct the 
attention of the government towards the establishment 
of irrigation works, which should be available in case of 
drought, and so prevent their recurrence. The matter 
was seriously taken up by Lord Cranbourne, the Indian 
Secretary, and engineers were immediately sent over to 
carry out the work. 

The last years of Lord Lawrence's administration were 
occupied in petty warfare with Waghurs, Bheels, Kurds, 
and Afghan tribes. These were in turn reduced; and 
when Sir John quitted India upon the expiration of his 
term of office, there was nothing to disturb its peace, 
except the vexed question of the north-western frontier. 
His administration might have closed with stirring events 
had he not prudently abstained from interference in the 
feuds of the Afghan royal family. And this, upon the 
death of Dost Mahomed, our faithful ally, he was called 
upon to do. Nevertheless, resisting every temptation, he 
adhered to a strict neutrality whereby he drew upon him- 



214 mstoBT OF iKDf^ (chap. xm» 

self miicd ctrusure from various quarters. Wbetlier bia 
policy was a wise one or not, time will ha.vo to show. 

Lord Mayo, appointed by Mr. Disraeli, was Sir John's 
successor. He had had but little acquaintance with 
Indian affairs, and the wisdom of the appointment was 
severely questioned at the time. He, however, undertook 
the responsibility of Indian government at a period when 
there was little to do, except to wage a vigorous warfare 
against the natural obstacles of the country, and zeal- 
ously, to grapple with the evils of native superstition and 
ignorance. Under such circumstances, the liberality and 
genial nature of the noble lord seemed eminently cal- 
culated to stand him in good stead; and India, doubtless, 
lost a valued friend when the kindly nobleman received 
his death-blow (1872) at the hand of an assassin. This 
melancholy occurrence took place at Torb Blair, while on 
an official visit to the Andaman Islands. The assassin 
was an Indian convict named Shere Ally. 

Lord Mayo was succeeded in the governor-generalship 
by Lord Northbrook. Like Lord Mayo, he fell upon 
quiet times; yet, like Elgin and Lawrence, he was destined 
to close with enemieb more deadly than Mahratta or 
Sikh, or rebel Sepoy — ^namely, famine, and its ally pesti- 
lence. The visitation referred to was a trying circum- 
stance; and it was everywhere felt that the administrative 
capacity of the new governor-general would by it be placed 
upon its trial. The combat was long and severe; but 
victory, in tfcie end, crowned his exertions; and henceforth 
his name must stand high upon the list of those to whom 
the acquisition and consolidation of our eastern empii*e 
is due. At the same time, it furnishes a further claim on 
the part of Great Britain to dominion over the teeming 
multitudes of the Indian peninsula. 



CHAPTEB XX^ 

PBOGBESS OF BRITISH CONQUEST. 

Characteristics of British Progress— Earliest Settlements— Sorat 
— Factories on the Ganges and the Coromandel Coast — 
Madras — Bombay — Calcutta — The Camatic — Bengal, Bahar, 
Orissa — Northern Circars — ^Allahabad and Corah — Malabar— 
Tanjore— Mahratta Territory— Cochin— Travancore— Ceylon 
New Mahratta Territory — Burmah— Mysore— Sciude — The 
Punjaub— Oude. 

Having now traced the history of this important part of 
the British dominions from its earliest beginnings to our 
own times, it will be well to take a cursory retrospect, in 
order that we may be enabled to comprehend clearly the 
progress of British power in this eastern peninsula. 

There is, perhaps, nothing in the annals of nations, 
either ancient or modem, which can compare with the 
development of British sway in India. The conquests 
of Alexander and of Cortes, in the magnitude of the 
equipments, the extent of their area of operations, and the 
brilliancy and despatch with which they were conducted, 
may outshine the campaigns of Clive and Warren Hastings ; 
while the dignity pertaining to an Indian governor may 
bear no comparison with the splendour that surrounded 
the name of a Boman proconsul. Nevertheless, when we 
regard the materials with which the conquest was effected, 
the difSiculties overcome, and the condition of the nations 
subjugated, the acquisition of dominion in India appears 
a more marvellous operation than either. " The people 
of India, when we subdued them," says Macaulay, "were 
ten times as numerous as the Americans whom the 
Spaniards vanquished, and were at the same time quite 
as highly civilised as the victorious Spaniards. They had 



216 aiSTORY OP INDIA. 

reared cities larger and fairer than Saragossa or Toledo, 
and buildings more beautiful and costly than the cathedral 
of Seville. They could show bankers richer than the 
richest firms of Barcelona or Cadiz, viceroys whose splen- 
dour surpassed that of Ferdinand the Catholic, myriada 
of cavialry and long trains of artillery which would have 
astonished the great captain." 

Two centuries since, a few inconsiderable stations of 
an incipient trading-company, whose tenure of existence 
was dependent upon the favour of capricious monarchs, 
and the good-will of native princes, were the meagre re- 
presentative of British enterprise in India; and now her 
influence is felt and her behests respected throughout the 
length and breadth of the land— from the Soliman and 
Hala Mountains to the Irrawady, and from the Hima- 
layas to Cape Comorin, and far beyond it over the spice- 
bearing plains of Ceylon! 

The earliest settlement of the English upon the Indian 
coast was at Surat, at the mouth of the Tapty. For a 
first real footing in the peninsula, our countrymen are 
indebted to the liberality of the Shah Jehangier, the son 
and successor of the great Akbar; who, upon the defeat 
of a Portuguese squadron by the English under Captain 
Best, concluded a treaty with the victors (1613) whereby 
he bound himself to protect the British traders at thftt 
settlement, and agreed to receive an English ambassador 
at his court. Towards the middle of the century, this 
settlement became a presidency, having control over th© 
establishments in the Persian Gulf and the western coast 
of India. 

The establishment of a trading station at Surat, was 
shortly followed by the opening of other factories in 
various parts — at Madraspatam, Nagapatam, Port St 
David, Masulipatam, and other places on the Coromandei 
coast; and at Cossimbazzar, Patna, and Hooghley — 
which latter lay not far from the spot on which Calcutta 
now stands — farther northward. 

Madras, under the name of Fort St. George, was 
established in 1646 by the permission of the Bajah of 



Y&OGRESS OF BRITISH COl^QUEST. 



21? 



Chundergiri, who undertook to protect the interests of 
the British traders, and even constructed a fortress for 
their defence. 

Like Surat, it eventually became a presidency (1746), 
having authority over the settlements in Bengal. It grew 
in time to be a large city and was strongly fortified. Once 
this important station — and now the capital of the vast 
pi-esidency that takes its name — ^passed out of English 
hands, when in 1746, or exactly a century after its foun- 
dation, it yielded to the attacks of the French commander 
Labourdonnais. The peace of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748) 
restored it to its former owners; and, excepting when, in 
1769, the unpardonable carelessness of the authorities 
permitted our great enemy, Hyder Ally, to steal a march 
of our countrymen, and to dictate peace within the bounds 
of its fortifications, our position there has never been 
seriously threatened. 




BOMBAY. -^ 

In 1668, the East India Company received an accession 
of territory in the island and town of Bombay, which 
Charles the Second received as part of the dowry of his 



218 HISTORY OP INDIA. 

Spanisli bride. The cession liad been made so early as 
1661 ; but, difl&culties having arisen concei*ning the terri- 
torial boundaries, the English did not obtain possession 
of it until 1664, and the Company till four years later. 
The claim of the English to this station has never been 
seriously questioned; and it is now the head of one of 
the presidencies into which India is divided. For this 
dignity it is indebted as much to the outbreak of a for- 
midable insurrection, which occurred in 1683, as to the 
superiority of its position, and the rapid growth of its 
population; for the occurrence referred to revealed the ad- 
vantage which would arise from a transfer of the seat of 
government thither; and Surat was accordingly deposed 
from the honourable position it had so long held in con- 
nection with the British-settlements on the western coast. 
About twenty years after the acquisition of Bombay 
by the Company (1698), the English factory there was re- 
moved from Hooghley to a place twenty miles lower down 
the river, bearing the name of Govindpore, but to which 
the English appellation of Fort William was subsequently 
given. This newly chosen station was destined in time 
to become the principal commercial emporium of the 
peninsula; and, under the name of Calcutta, its capital 
and chief seat of government. In the year 1751 the 
importance of the place was such, that it was found 
necessary to strengthen its defences; and, accordingly, 
the settlement was surrounded by a rampart and ditch, 
the latter of which received, and still retains, the name of 
the Mahratta ditch. This precaution, however, was not 
sufficient to check the advance of an enemy; for, in 1756, 
or only five years after, Suraj-ud-Dowlah, nabob of Bengal, 
captured the place, and incarcerated a portion of its garri- 
son in a shameful prison. Next year it was retaken by 
Clive and Sir Eyre Coote; and, in 1759, its area was 
extended by the grant of a district to the south of it, 
denominated the Pergunnahs, to Clive Since the above 
untoward occurrence — though oftentimes in danger — ^the 
English have never been disturbed in their possession of 
Uiis, the capital city of the empire. 



fttOGBBSS Ol* BRITISH COKQUESKt 219 

Hitherto the operations of the English in India, it 
will be seen, had been strictly confined to the acquisition 
of commercial establishments; and it is extremely doubt- 
ful whether ambition would have tempted them beyond 
this moderate and praiseworthy field, had not the feuds of 
the native princes, and the operations of their French 
neighbours, succeeded in drawing them into the vortex of 
Indian politics. The ambitious cravings of the French 
governor, Dupleix, led him to despise mere commercial 
intercourse and to contemplate the establishment of im- 
perial dominion in this eastern land. He took great care 
to encourage the overtures made to him by belligerent 
princes, because they seemed to offer the opportunity he 
desired; and the English in sheer self-preservation were 
constrained to enter the arena likewise. 

The success of the French at the outset of the struggle 
was marked; and Dupleix, as a reward for the services 
he had rendered his protege, the soubadah of the Deccan, 
was invested with the viceroyalty of the Camatic. The 
masterly genius of Clive subsequently reversed this state 
of things; and the English, having given a nabob to this 
province, became the virtual rulers of it. The province 
long laboured under the disadvantage of a dual govern- 
ment; and, during the wars with Hyder Ally and his 
son Tippoo, it suffered severely from the ravages of these 
warlike princes. In the year 1801, Lord Wellesley, the 
then governor-general, put an end to this anomaly by 
bringing it within the jurisdiction of the Presidency of 
Madi-as. The Carnatic then cannot, till a later date, be 
regarded in the light of a territorial acquisition. The 
province, however, holds a prominent place, as being the 
earliest theatre of that action which ultimately established 
British domination throughout the Indian peninsula. 

About the same time the virtual possession of an ex- 
tensive tract of country in Northern India fell to the 
Company in the provinces of Bengal, Bahar, and 
Orissa. Long before, the influence of the English in 
this quarter, owing to the number and importance of its 
factories, had been considerable; and now the inimica] 



^^0 flIStOttY OlF INDIA. 

proceedings of its nabob served to give them the privilege 
of imperial sway. For, having made an unprovoked 
attack upon the English establishment at Calcutta, in 
1756, he drew upon himself the retribution his conduct 
merited. The victory gained over him at Plassey so 
completely broke the power of the nabob, that from 
henceforth the Company may be said to have had sove- 
reign power in this province. Five years after the defeat 
of Suraj-ud-Dowlah, the dewany or financial management 
of Bengal was granted by the emperor Shah AUum to 
the English; but it was not till the year 1765 that the 
honour with its accompaniments was accepted. The pro- 
cess withdrew all real power from the hands of Mejum- 
ud-Dowlah, its nabob, who, with a pension of fifty lacs, 
or nearly half a million sterling, now held a mere puppet 
state in his capital Moorshedabad. Since this transac- 
tion, the English have retained imperial sway in these 
three important provinces. 

The next acquisition of the Company was that of the 
Northern Circars — a, maritime district lying between 
Bengal and the Carnatic — ^which was annexed in 1768. 
The cession of this territory had been obtained by Clive 
from the emperor in 1765, contemporaneously with the 
grant of the Bengal dewany; but, inasmuch as it was at 
that time in the hands of the nizam, the present was a 
merely nominal one. In 1768, however, his sanction was 
obtained by force of arms; and the territory then passed 
by treaty into British hands. In 1816, the province was 
overrun and plundered by the Pindarees. It has, how- 
ever, remained an integral portion of the English posses- 
sions to this day. 

In 1797, the fortress of Allahabad, situated at the 
confluence of the Ganges and Jumna, and commanding 
an extensive district to the south of Oude, was given up 
to the English by the vizier of that province. This im- 
portant stronghold had owned many masters. In 1758, 
it was seized by the vizier; but> upon his defeat at Corah 
in 1765 by General Camac, it Was, together with the 
difltrict of Corah, restored to the emperor. Seven years 



PBOOBESS OF BRITISH CONQUEST. 221 

later (1772), these districts were offered to the Mahrattaa 
as the purchase of immunity from their depredations; for 
having overrun Rohilcund and the Douab, this people 
had seized upon the imperial city of Delhi. The Com- 
pany objected to the arrangement; and the transfer was 
therefore not effected at the time. Its acquisition by the 
English added but little to their territory. Its strategic 
value, however, was considerable. 

In 1792, Tippoo Sahib, as a peace-offering, ceded to the 
Company Malabar, Salim, and other places by which 
the territorial area of the English was enlarged by some 
25,000 square miles. This cession, however, was a mere 
anticipation of an arrangement by which the entire 
dominion of Mysore was afterwards added to the posses- 
sions of Biitain. 

In 1800, the boundary of the Madras presidency waa 
pushed beyond the Camatic. The Kajah of Tanjore, 
an ancient Mahratta state situated to the south of the 
Cauvery, died childless in 1787; and a dispute having 
arisen respecting the succession. Lord Momington placed 
its affairs under British control. The state of Surat, like- 
wise, whose affairs had hitherto been administered by the 
nabob's government and the Company's officers, was 
brought entirely under British control. 

In 1803, by treaties which followed upon the great 
Mahratta war, a considerable extent of territory was 
added to the Company's dominions. Cuttack, to the 
south of the Mahanuddy, and the northern half of the pro- 
vince of Berar, with the strong fortress of Ahmednugger, 
were ceded by Rughojee Bhoslay, rajah of the latter; 
while the'great Mahratta chieftain, Scindia, was compelled 
to abandon the Douab — the country lying between the 
Ganges and Jumna — with Delhi, Agra, Meerut, and other 
places, considerable portions of the districts of B.ajpoO' 
tana, the Deccan, Gruzerat, and Kandeish. The Peshwa's 
possessions in Bundelcund had previously been ceded 
to the Company. The hold of the English upon Berar 
was but a temporary one, as it was immediately after- 
wards attached to the dominions of the nizam. 



223 BISTORT OF IKBIA. 

In 1808, the government of the provinces of Cochin 
and Travancore, hitherto merely subsidiary, came into 
the possession of the Company. Three years -previously, 
an arrangement had been made by which the rajah was 
guaranteed possession of the provinces upon condition of 
his promptly paying the subsidy as arranged. The pay- 
ments, however, came in very irregularly, and the terms 
of the treaty being violated thereby, the arrangements 
for the transfer of the dominions to English rule were 
carried out. 

The Ghoorka war, which occurred in 1814, added the 
pro\'ince of Kumaon and other territory to the Company's 
dominions, and pushed British territory northward to the 
Himalayas. At the same time, the dominions of many 
of the Mil chiefs were brought under British jurisdiction. 

In 1815, the kingdom of Kandy in the centre of Ceylon 
was, at the request of its chiefs, annexed to the dominions 
of Great Britain. The coast provinces had been captured 
from the Dutch and annexed some twenty years earlier, 
in 1796; and thus the entire island of Ceylon was brought 
beneath the British sway. 

By a treaty made with the Mahratta chief Holkar, in 
the year 1818, certain districts in Rajpootana were added 
to the Company's territories; while the residue of his 
dominions was placed under British protection. 

Such acquisitions as these lately referred to are, how- 
ever, dwarfed into insignificance when compared with the 
large area of territory which, in 1818, came into posses- 
sion of the British; for then the successful termination 
of the second Mahratta war added the extensive dominions 
of that nation to the Company's territories. 'Upon the 
capture of Sattara, the capital of the confederation, the 
termination of the Peshwa rule, which had been main- 
tained for about a century by a succession of able princes, 
was declared. The Peshwa territory was occupied and 
divided into foiir districts, to each of which a governor 
was appointed. The aggregate result of the Mahratta 
overthrow was the acquisition of the district and city of 
Poonall — th^ seat of the Peshwa government; the 



PBOORESS OF BRITISH CONQUEST. 223 

Sangur Territory, North Circars, Kandeish, and other 
districts taken from the Peshwa; and Ajmere and a 
portion of Rajpootana obtained from Dowlat Rao Scindia, 
altogether comprising the enoimous area of 60,000 square 
miles. The district of Sattara was reserved for the heir 
of the illustrious Sivajee, who had long been held in 
durance by the powerful Peshwa. 

The successful termination of the Burmese war, which 
broke out in 1825, gave Britain dominion beyond the 
confines of the Indian peninsula; for, by the treaty of 
Yandaboo, concluded in 1826, the provinces of Assam, 
Arracan, Tavoy, and Tenasserim, with an aggregate area 
of 80,000 square miles, were added to the Company's 
possessions. At the earnest request of its inhabitants, 
the district of Pegu was annexed in 1853, at the close of 
the second Burmese war. 

British dominion in India was largely extended by the 
acquisition, in 1832, of the administration of the govern- 
ment of Mysore. The defeat of Tippoo, and the capture 
of his capital, Seringapatam, had placed this province and 
its dependencies at the mercy of the victors. With 
amazing liberality, the governor-general, Lord Morning- 
ton, declined to annex his territory which the right of 
conquest gave him. He chose rather to reduce the 
Mysorean dominion to its original dimensions, by restoring 
to the Nizam and the Peshwa the conquests of Tippoo 
and his predecessor, and devoting another portion to the 
extension of the British frontier in this quarter; while 
the ancient dominion of Sivajee was bestowed upon the 
real rajah, who at the time was a mere boy. As the 
young prince grew up, he betrayed a marked inaptitude 
for the duties of government; and when, in 1811, he 
ari'ived at man*s estate, and was invested with uncontrolled 
authority, the afiairs of the state, hitherto prosperous, 
fell into the direst confusion. Disregarding the repeated 
warnings of his English allies, he pursued a life of ex- 
travagance and frivolity; and his subjects, groaning under 
his exactions, and wearied with his misgovemment, broke 
out into rebellion. The oondition of the province had 



224 HISTORY OF INDIA. 

become a serious danger; and, in tte interests of peace, 
the government of India took upon themselves the man- 
agement of its affairs (1832). This transaction gave the 
British the virtual possession of Mysore. 

In the same year (1832) the little state of Cachar in 
the north-east of Bengal was added to the dominions of 
Britain. 

The war with the Ameers of Scinde, conducted in 1843 
by Sir Charles Napier, added the riverain district ol 
Scinde to the dominions of the East India Company. The 
British troops, having defeated the Ameers at Meanee, 
took possession of Hyderabad, which fortress they garri- 
soned. Such of the Ameers or princes as fell into the 
hands of the English were subjected to an honourable 
imprisonment in Bombay, or sent on parole to Beloochia- 
tan. Thus an extensive tract of country became an 
integral portion of the Company's dominions, and gave to 
the English territory beyond the Indus westward. 

In 1846, the defeat of the Sikhs at the decisive battle 
of Sobraon, threw that people upon the mercy of their 
English adversaries; and Sir Henry Hardinge appropriated 
that portion of their territory which lay upon the eastern 
side of the Sutlej, including the Jullunder Douab, or the 
district lying between the Sutlej and Beas; and thus the 
Sikh States, an extensive district, was added to the 
English dominions in Northern India. 

When the Mahratta provinces were annexed to the 
Company's dominions in 1819, the district of Sattara, 
which represented the ancient domains of Sivajee, was 
placed under the authority of a descendant of the illus- 
trious founder of the Mahratta polity. In 1848, the 
rajah died childless. Previous to his decease, he had 
adopted an heir. The Indian government, however, re- 
fused to recognise the principle of adoption, and the state 
was held to have lapsed to the British. Territorially 
speaking, Sattara was of no very material value to the 
Company. Its moral importance, however, by vii'tue of 
its associations was considerable. 

In the same year, 1849, afar more considerable increase 



PROGRESS OF BRITISH CONQUEST. 325 

In the area of British territory in India was made by the 
annexation of the extensive province of the Punjaub. 
Its inhabitants, the Sikhs, having a second time challenged 
the might of Britain, were totally overthrown at Goojerat 
by Sir Hugh Gough; and Lord Dalhousie — less scrupulous 
than his predecessor — boldly annexed the whole province. 
By this accession of territory, the entire north-eastern 
corner of the peninsula was brought under British 
rule. 

In 1853, the province of Berar, whose capital was 
Nagpore, became British territory. It had, upon the 
close of the Mahratta war, been annexed to the dominions 
of the nizam. The affairs of the province, however, were 
80 grossly mismanaged, that, upon the death of Bughojee 
Bhoslay in 1853, it was added to the Company's posses- 
sions. Thus the area of British dominions was increased 
by some 75,000 square miles. 

The last territorial acquisition of the English in India 
was that of the province of Oude, which took place in 
1856. The annexation, it will be remembered, was a 
consequence of the bad government of its king. The 
process, which has been the subject of much severe com- 
ment, added little short of 30,000 square miles to the 
British dominions, and virtually brought the entire 
peninsula beneath our sway; for although two-thirds of 
Hindustan only is at present under the direct rule of our 
sovereign, the connection of the remaining portion is of 
such a nature that the independence of the states com- 
prising it is but nominal. 

Of the progress of British sway, the history of India 
is a mere chronicle. The commercial enterprise of our 
countrymen during the Tudor period gave us a first 
footing in-this eastern land. The career of Clive substi- 
tuted empire for mere sufferance; and upon the foundation 
which his genius laid, the vast fabric of British dominion 
arose. The process was very gradual at first; but during 
the last half century its development has been altogether 
as rapid. The occurrences of the year 1857 placed the 
edifice in the greatest jeopaidy; for it was within the 

F 



226 HISTOBT OF INDIA. 

bounds of probability that British power in ^dia would 
cease. This, however, was not to be. The patience and 
perseverance of our countrymen, and the loyalty of the 
general body of the population averted the threatened 
calamity; and this splendid empire — now under the 
direct rule of Her Gracious Majesty — ^is reserved to 
us for our honour, it is to be hor^^> and the welfiuv 
of its people. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

THE LEADING INDIAN STATES. 

Break-np of the Mohammedan Empire — The Emperor*s Territory 
— The Province of Oude — Bengal, Bahar, and Orissa — The 
Deccan or the Nizam's Dominions — The Camatic — The 
Mahratta Country — Its Kise and Condition — Mysore — Minor 
States. 

About the middle of the eighteenth century, when the 
administration of Anglo-Indian affairs was in the hands 
of Clive, the greater part of the Indian peninsula had 
ceased to own the sway of the Emperor of Delhi or Great 
Mogul. The vast empire of Aurungzebe was no longer 
a homogeneous territory. The integrity of the ancient 
dominion, which his genius had baiely served to maintain, 
could no longer, under a succession of feeble princes, be 
upheld; and the soubadahs, nabobs, and rajahs, who, as 
viceroys — • Mohammedan and Hindu — had ruled the 
various provinces into which the empire was divided, 
began one by one to assert an independence of the im- 
perial court of Delhi. " Wherever," says Macaulay, " the 
viceroys of the Mogul retained authority they became 
sovereigns. They might still acknowledge in words the 
superiority of the house of Tamerlane; as a Count of 
Flanders, or a Duke of Burgundy might have acknow- 
ledged the superiority of the most helpless driveller 
among the later Carlovingians. They might occasionally 
send to their titular sovereign a complimentary present, 
or solicit from him a title of honour. In truth, however, 
they were no longer lieutenants removable at pleasure, 
but independent hereditary princes." 

In this way arose most of the principalities with whose 
several concerns we h^y^ had to deal. Roughly speaking, 



228 HISTORY OP INDIA, 

at the period above referred to, the Indian peninsula 
may b© said to have been thus divided : — The Emperor's 
Territory, represented by Delhi; Bengal, Bahar, and 
Orissa; the Deccan, Carnatic, Mahratta Country, and 
Mysore. 

The Emperor^s Territory had, as has been remarked, 
shrunk into insignificance when we compare its present 
with its ancient area and influence. Established in 1193 
as the seat of Mohammedan government by Kuttub-ud- 
Deen, the deputy of the Afghan prince Mohammed 
Gaury, the city of Delhi continued to be the virtual 
capital of India, and the seat of government of the 
various races of sovereigns into whose hands the imperial 
sway successively fell. The splendour and magnificence 
of the imperial city, and its great political importance, 
long rendered it an object of incessant attack from the 
Ma]brattas, Afghans, Persians, and other neighbouring and 
warlike people. In 1^60, the city and all it represented 
became a bone of contention between the Mahrattas and 
the Afghan general Ahmed Shah Abdally. The decisive 
action of Paniput broke for a time the might of the 
Mahrattas, and secured the prize to the Afghan king. 

The last representative of the royal line of Aurung 
zebe was no more, having been put to death by his 
treacherous vizier Shaub-ud-Deen. His son, a fugitive 
in Bengal, had indeed proclaimed himself emperor, and 
issumed the bombastic title of Shah AUum or King of 
the World; but the imperial dominions, once so extensive, 
were represented by a few unimportant districts around 
the city of Delhi. Such of its territory as had escaped 
the usurpations of its viceroys were in the hands of 
Ahmed Shah, whose conquests in this part of India had, 
in a measure, restored to the Afghan crown the ancient 
dominions of that nation in this country. 

The province of Oude, long an immediate dependency 
of the Mogul, was early governed by a deputy of the 
citiperor, who was styled the vizier. At the date of the 
great battle oi Paniput, which decided the fate of the 



THE tEADIlTG INDIAST STATES. 229 

imperial city, the honour was vested in Siifcliir Jung. 
This ruler, having quarrelled with his lord, the emperor, 
concerning the cession of the Punjaub to Ahmed Shah, 
retired to his province, bade defiance to his superior, and 
reigned in complete independence. The connection of 
Oude with the empire was henceforth merely a nominal 
one, and may, to all intents and purposes, be regarded as a 
distinct and separate kingdom owning the sway of Sufdur 
Jung — or rather of his son, Sujah-ud-Dowlah. 

The province of Bengal, Bahar, and Orissa— if we 
except the district of Rohilcund, an independent and 
powerful Afghan state that lay to the north-west of 
Oude — completes the district of Northern India. It had 
originally formed a portion "of the imperial dominions, 
having been, so early as the year 1576, brought under the 
sway of the court of Delhi by the great Akbar Khan. 
At the time of which we speak it had become an inde- 
pendent province under the government of an English 
nominee, Meer Jaffier, the successor of the defeated nabob, 
Suraj-ud-Dowlah. The virtual sovereignty of this pro- 
vince was, however, destined soon to pass into the hands 
of the English. 

The Deccan, or the Nizam's Dominions, as it may be 

termed, was brought within the pale of the empire by the 
same master-hand that compelled the foregoing province 
to beiid to the sway of the imperial court. Its distance 
from the capital, however, and the warlike operations of 
the neighbouring Mahratta tribes, had rendered it exceed- 
ing diflficult of control. During its connection with the 
empire, which was maintained until the death of Aurung- 
zebe in 1707, its affairs were managed by a viceroy, known 
as the soubadah or nizam. At' the time of the above 
occurrence it was under the rule of Nizam-ul-Mulk 
(Regulator of the State, as his title implies), whose capital 
was Hyderabad. Nizam-ul-Mulk may be regarded as thd 
first of a line of independent sovereigns, bearing the title 
of the nizam. The influence of the French under M, 



HISTORY OF INDIA. 

Bussy Had secured its government, first to Nasir Jung, 
and now to Salabat Jung, his brother. But the territory 
which once had extended northward to the banks of the 
Nerbudda and Mahanuddy, did not now reach beyond 
the Godavery — ^its northern districts having lately fallen 
into the hands of the Mahrattas; while the Carnatic, 
which so recently as the time of Nizam-ul-Mulk had 
been included within its boundaries, was now under the 
independent sway of Mahomed Ally. The independence 
of the Eajah of Kumal, of the Rajah of Vizagapatam, 
whose territories lay between the Godavery and Pennair, 
and other chiefs, sensibly curtailed its area towards the 
south. It therefore now consisted of the southern por- 
tion of the old Deccan only. 

The Carnatic which lay between the Eastern Ghauts 
and the Bay of Bengal had, as has been said, been de- 
tached from the dominion of the nizam, and was now 
under the rule of Mahomet Ally, whose independent 
government was secured by the English. His dominions, 
which were bounded northward by the Pennair river, and 
southward by the principality of Tanjore, were curtailed 
by the presence within their boundary of several indepen- 
dent Hindu principalities, among which may be men- 
tioned that of Arcot, in the possession of Chundah Sahib, 
a nominee of the French. 

The Mahrattas owned an extensive tract of country in 
Western India, between the imperial dominions and the 
nizam's territory, embracing Malwah, Guzerat, Kandeish, 
Berar, and further southward Aurungabad, Bejapore, Tan- 
jore, etc., which latter province had been wrested from 
the emperor and the ni^am. Their territory, however, 
was by no means a homogeneous one, being divided among 
certain chieftains who held a kind of independent sway 
within the bounds of their several dominions. Among 
these Scindia, Holkar, the Guicowar, and the Peshwa, 
the nominal head of the confederation, may be mentioned. 

This extensive territoiy they had gained for themselves 



THE LEADING INDIAN STATES. 231 

by their bravery and superior military talent. At first a 
mere mercenary tribe, hiring themselves to belligerent 
priiices, they were created a nation by the warrior chief- 
tain Sivajee. The territory of Jhansi, and some estates 
of lesser importance granted to the Peshwa by the Bajah 
of Bundelcund, was the humble starting point for that 
extension of territory which, in due time, made them a 
power of the first order in the Indian peninsula, and 
secured them a tributary recognition from most of the 
Indian states. 

Of this remarkable people Macaulay eloquently saya : — 
" It was under the reign of Aurungzebe that this wild 
clan of plunderers first descended their mountains; and 
soon after his death every corner of his wide empire 
learned to tremble at the mighty name of the Mahrattas. 
Many fertile viceroyalties were entirely subdued by them. 
Their dominions stretched across the peninsula from sea 
to sea. Mahratta captains reigned at Poonah, at Gwalior, 
in Guzerat, in Berar, and in Tanjore. Nor did they, 
though they had become great sovereigns, therefore cease 
to be freebooters. They still retained the predatory 
habits of their forefathers. Every region which was not 
subject to their rule was wasted by their incursions. 
Wherever their kettle drums were heard, the peasant 
threw his bag of rice on his shoulder, hid his small 
savings in his girdle, and fled with his wife and children 
to the mountains or the jungles, to the milder neigh- 
bourhood of the hyaena and the tiger. Many provinces 
redeemed their harvests by the payment of an annual 
ransom. Even the wretched phantom who still bore the 
imperial title stooped to pay this ignominious black-mail. 
The camp-fires of one rapacious leader were seen from 
the walls of the palace of Delhi. Another at the head 
of his innumerable cavalry descended year after year on 
the rice-fields of Bengal. Even the European factors 
trembled for their magazines. Less than a hundred years 
ago, it was thought necessary to fot"tify Calcutta against 
the horsemen of Berar; and the name of the Mahratta 
ditch still preserves the memory of the danger." At the 



232 HISTORY OF INDIA. 

time we have chosen for review, the office of Peshwa was 
held by Ballagee Rao. 

To the south of the nizam's dominion, and extending 
beyond the plateau of the Deccan, lay the territory of 
Mysore, an ancient state whose connection with the im- 
perial government was never more than a nominal one. 
The emperor Aurungzebe had invaded the territory and 
placed it under tribute ; but it never was submissive to 
the authority of the Delhi court. Maintaining an inde- 
pendent government, it was ably managed; and but for the 
repeated assaults and exactions of its restless neighbours 
the Mahrattas, would have been among the mo«t driving 
of the Indian principalities. I'he Mysorean dominions 
were greatly extended by Hyder Ally, who, at the period 
under consideration, notwithslanding that a legitimate 
sovereign occuoied its chrone, was supreme in this power- 
tal province. 

In addition to the above states — which, until the annex- 
ing and absorbing process of the English was applied to 
Indian territory— may be regarded as the main divisions 
of the peninsula, there lay in the north Rohilcund, already 
mentioned, independent of the court of Delhi, and in- 
habited by a hardy Afghan race, with a chief named 
Shahab-ud-Deen at its head; Rajpootana, or a confedera- 
tion of Rajpoot states, which were nominally tributary 
to, but virtually independent t'f the emperor, and too 
powerful for the effective domination of the Mahratta; 
the country of the Jats, situated to the east of the 
Rajpoot states, and extending thence to Agra. Their 
capital was Bhurtpoor, one of the most powerful fortresses 
in India ; and they were at this period governed by a 
famous chieftain named Sooraj Mul; Bundelcund, to 
the south-east of the Bhurtpoor territory, with Rewar. 
Bhopal, upon the eastern boundary of Malwah, and some 
others. To the south were Tanjore, connected, as has 
already been remarked, with the Mahrattas, but owning 
ftu independent rajah of its own — a descendant of a 



VRE LtAi>i£ro iir&iAir stAVsa. id9 

brother of Sivajee; Cochin, a small and animportant 
maritime state to the north of Travancore, with a rajah 
under the tutelage of the Dutch. These, with the states 
and t-oyritcries belonging to the various European nations 
— the English, French, Portuguese, and Dutch — ^made up 
the entire peninsula. 

The following table of contemporary rulers may be 
found of service in relieving the student of the wearisomo- 
ness of research, and enabling him roughly to discover ai 
ft glance the hands that directed the governments of i^ 
seToral states during tlie period of English oou^oesi 



SS4 

TABLE Of OONXBMPOBARY 



hati. 


Delhi. 


OOSB. 


BraoAi^Kxa 


TnDaooAir. 


1719 


Mahomed Shah. 


•• •• 


•••••• 


•• •• 


US2 


.. •• 


•• •• 


M •• •• 


•• •• 


5743 
1748 


Ahmed Shah. 


SafdarJimg. 


•• •• •• 

•• M M 


HosaiAir Jang. 


1^49 


•• •• 


•• •• 


•••••• 


.. .. 

•• •• \ 

SaUbntJung.^ 

•• •• 
•• •• 


M 


«• •• 


•• •• 


M M •• 


1761 
1764 
1766 
1757 


Aiumge«r II 

:: :: 


Shajdi-Qd-Dow. 

•• •• 
•• •• 


M •• •• 

BinS-ttd-Dowlah.* 
MeerJafflerOtr«<)i 


175» 
1760 
1761 
1762 
1764 
1765 

1771 


Shah AUum. 
• • •• 
•• •• 
•• •• 
•• •• 
•• •• 
•• •• 


•• •• 
•• •• 
•• •• 
•• •• 
•• •• 
•• •• 
•• •• 


Mei-Ooedi. " 

Nujm.ud-DdwUU». 
Srf-ad-Dowlab. 


•• •• 

•• •• 

•• •• 

NinmAUy. 

•• •• 

»• M 

• • •• 

• • •• 


1772 


•• •• 


•« «• 


•• •• •• 


• • •• 


1773 
J 775 


•• •• 
•• •* 


ABof-ud-DowIah. 


•• •• •• 


• • •• 

• • •• 


1783 
1788 


*• •• 


•• •• 


•» •• •• 
•• •• •• 


• • •• 

•• •• 


1790 
1793 
1795 


•• •• 


•• •• 

•• •• 


C» M •• 

• • '•• •• 

• • •• •• 


• • •• 
•• •• 

• • •• 


1796 


.. .. 


•• •• 


•• •• •« 


•• •• 


1797 


•• •• 


VifflVr AUy! 


• • •• •• 


• • •• 

• • •• 


1798 


•• •• 


Suadut Allj. 


• • •• •• 


•• •• 


1801 
1803 


•• •• 
•• •• 


•• •• 


• • •• •• 


HikoliderJdi. 


1805 


•• •• 


•• •• 


• • •• •• 


•• •• 


.»»_ 


•• •• 


•• •• 


•• •• •• 


M •• 


1807 


•• •• 


•• •• 


•• •• •• 


•• •• 


1818 


•• •• 


•• •• 


•••••• 


•• •• 


1821 


•• •• 


•• •• 


•• •• •• 


• • •• 


1828 
1829 


•• •• 


•• •• 
•• •• 


•• •• •• 

•• •• •• 


SlaiU^od-Dowlah 


1838 
1842 


•• •• 


•• •• 
•• •• 


•• •• •• 

• • •• •• 


•• •• 
•• •• 


1844 

1848 


•• •• 

• •• 


•• •• 
•• •• 


•• •• •• 

•• •• •• 


•• •• 

•• •• 


1866 


•• #• 


•• •• 


•• •• •• 


•• •• 


1862 


•• •• 


•• •• 


•• •• •• 


•• •• 


1864 


•• •• 


•• •• 


•• •• •• 


•• •• 


1869 
187S 


•• •• 


• • •• 


•••••• 

• • •• •• 


•• •• 

•• •• 



SOVEBEIONS AND GOVEBNOBa 



OABNATia 



Dost Ally Khan. 
Aawur-ud-Deen. 

Chundah Sahib. 

Mahomet Ally 

W&llahJah. 



Ooradn t-ul-Omrah 



•• •• 



Thx Uabkattab 
(Pkshwab). 



i - 



Mandoo Bao. 

•• •• 
•• •• 
•• •• 

MarrainBao 
• • •• 

Rughoba 
•• •• 

Mahdoo ttao. 



Chimnajee. 
Baiee Bao. 



Urwoma, 



HyderAUj. 



Tippoo tjahib. 



- '■{ 






LovdLCttva 



W«rren Hastings. 
•• •• •• 

Marquu Comwallis. 
Sir John Shore. 



Lord Momington, or 
Marquis Weliesley. 



Marqais Comwallis. 
Sir George Barlow. 
Lord Minto. 
Earl of Moira, or 

Marquis Hastings. 
Lord Amherst. 
Lord W. Bentinck. 

Lord Au<^land. 
Lord EUenborough. 
Sir H. Hardinge. 
Lord Dalhousie. 
Lord Canning. 
Lord Elgin. 
Lord Lawrenoei 
Lord Mayo. 
Loid Northbiooli. 



Dati. 



1719 
1782 
1743 
1748 
1749 



1761 

1764 
1756 
1757 
1759 
17d£ 
1761 
1762 
1764 
1766 

•f 
1771 
1772 
1773 
1776 
1783 
1786 
1790 
1793 
1795 
1796 

1797 
1798 

1801 
1803 
1805 

tf 
1807 

1818 

1821 
1828 
1829 
1836 
1842 
1844 
1848 
1856 
1862 
1864 
1869 
187t 



INDEX. 



AoHMinT, Sir B., 141 

Adam, Mr., 153. 

▲dam's Bridge, 20l 

Adam's Peak, 20. 

Agnew, Mr., 179. 

Agra, 23, 24, 195, 203, SSL 

Ahmedabad, 108. 

Ahmedimgger, 182, 221. 

Ahmed Shah, 55, 78, 228, S28k 

Ahwaz, 189. 

Ajmere, 223. 

Akbar Khan, 52, 229. 

Akbar of Cabul, 168, 169, 17L 

Albuquerque, Alfonso, 68L 

Alexander the Great, 40. 

Aiipore, 207. 

Aliverdi Khan, 74, 78. 

Aliwal, 25, 177. 

Allahabad, 23, 101, 196, 198, 205, 221 

Alla-ud-Deen, 50. 

AUumbagb, 204, 205. 

Altumish, 50. 

Alumgeer, 86. 

Alvarez Cabral, 57. 

Amboyna, 142. 

Ameer Khan, 141, 144, 146, 148. 

Ameers of Scinde, 172, 224. 

Amherst, Lord, 153, 155, 15& 

Amritsur, 141. 

Anderson, Lieutenant, 179. 

Anwur-ud-Deen, 67. 

Appa Sahib, 145, 148, 1491 

Aravelli Mountains, U, 

Arcot, 69, 85, 111, 280. 

Argaom, 135. 

Arikera, 121. 

Arraoan, 25, 155, 888 

Aryans, the, 81. 

Assam, 153, 156, 289L 

Assaye, 132. 

Asof-ud-Dowlah, 108, 11(L 

Auckland, Lord, 164, 106^ llflL 

Aurungabad, 28, 280. 

Aumngzebe, 5^ 68^ 88L 

Ava, 158. 

Awah, 206. 

Babkr, 61. 

in. 



B^Jee &Mt,*I81, 14C 
Banda. 148. 
BangaloriLlSL 
Baiq^ GtoUa, 14?. 
Barlow, SirO^ 188, 188, 14IL 
Barnard, Sir H., 194,8081 
Bamckpon, 108. 
BarwaU. Mr., 101 



,107.100,1811 
BataTia, 148. 
Bayley, Mr., 150. 
Begum Cotee, 20^ 
Begum of Oude, 207. 
Begums. The, 103, llflw 
Bejapore, 22, 27, 230. 
Benares, 23, 24, 103, 115, 186, 198l 
Bengal, 22, 219, 229. 
Bentinck. Mr., 129, 156, 157, 161, Ml^ 
Berar, 28, 185, 221, 225, 280L 
Berhampore, 193. 
Bhawulpore, 29. 
Bheels, The, 34, 218. 
Bhurtpore, 136, 15fli. 
Bbopal, 28, 232. 
Bhotan, 213. 
Bithoor, 196, 198. 
Black Hole, The, 76. 
Bolan Pass, The, 166, ITA. 
Bombay, 22, 61, 217. 
Brahm, 36, 37. 
Brahma, 36. 
Brahmins, 39, 192. 
Brahminical Poems, Tbe, 41 
Brown, General, 149. 
Buddhism, 40. 
Budlee Serai, 200. 
Bundelound, 29, 140. 821, 881, 881^ 
Bura Penu, 40. 
Burmah, 25. 
Burmese, The, 153. 
Bumes, Lieutenant^ 16^ 165^ ML 
Bnshire, 188, 189. 
Bussy, 68, 73, 84, 111, 888. 
Bnxar, 89. 

CABin.,164. 
Caohar, 224. 
Calcutta, 11, 198, 218. 
Calliaud, Captain, 81, 86. 
<%aubay, 27. 
Campbell, Sir A., 155. 
Campbell, Sir C, 201, 204, 806^ 8081 
Oanua,18. 

Oknning, 187, 189, 811, 818. 
Ouioal,63. 

Oarnao, M^or, 86, 91, 111, 881 
Gamatio, 81, 128, 819, 230. 
ORahmere, 18, 29, 177. 
Carte, 89. 

Okwnpore, 84. 195, 196, 197, 180, 801 
Central ProTiooea, 84. 
Ceylon, 20, 26, 822. 
Cnandemagora, 28, 61 TT. 
Ohani Koowvr, 171 
145, 141 141 



SS7 



OMiihiit, I9f. 

OhiiiraTa,84. 

Christians, Tbfl^ fL 

Chanar, 110. 

Cbttndah Sahib, 6«. W, 980. 

Chundoo Jjall, 186, 

Chutter Singh, 180. 

Gircars, The, S3. 91, 96, 220. 222. 

Clire, 68, 72, 76, 77, 80. 88, 86^ 00, M. 

218, 225, 
Cochin, 27, 222, 232. 
Colombo, 26, 41, 
Combermere, ViBOOunt^ lS6b 
Concan, 18. 
Conflans, M., 82i 
Coorg, 159. 

Coote, Sir E,, 85, 111, S1& 
Corah, 101, 220. 
Cornelis, 142 
Comwallis, Lord, 118^ UO, in, 189 

123, 138. 
Coromandel, 19. 
Cossimbazzar, 210 
Ciiddalore, 118. 
Cutch, 26, 27. 
Ciittack, 221. 

Dalhovsib, Lord, 179, 1S8» 185, 187 

225. 
Dara, 53. 

Darius Hystaspes, 45. 
Deccan. The, 17, 22, 221, 229. 
Deeg, 136. 

De Grand, Captain, 207. 
Delhi. 25, 134, 136, 183, 204, 221, 877, 

278. 
Delhi Slave Kings, 60. 
Devicotta, 66. 
Dewany, 100. 
Dhwalagiri, 12, 
Dhondia, 130. 
Dhoiidoo Punt, 196. 
Dhuleep Singh, 177. 
D;<az, Bartholomew, 67. 
Dilkooshee Palace, The, 204 
Donabew, 155. 
Dost Mahomed, 165. 
Douab, The, 15. 
Dowlatabad, 28, 82. 
Dubba, 173. 
Dupleix, 64, 70, 219. 

East India Company, 60, 118. 
Edwardes, Lieutenant, ISflt 
Elgin, Lord, 212. 
Ellenborough, Lord, 170, IT4 
Elphinstone, General, 168. 
Elphinstone, Mr., 147, 160. 

Fask, General, 105. 
VeroEopors. 194, 90L 
IwoMshab, 8M9& 



,FrliM% 
OoUuM, 



19. 



Fort St. Darid, 01, 64, SI, tit 

Fort St. Georg9, 210. 

French Fosaeasionsg 80l 

Fulta, 84. 

Fumawees, Nana, 108, 191, 194, 181. 

Puttighur, 195. 197, 205. 
Fyzabad, 25, 116. 

Oamobs, Plain of, 14 
Gardner, Colonel, 144. 
Garrons, The, 33. 
Gaurian Dynasty, Thfl^ Ml 
Gawilghnr. 186. 
Ghatgay, 130, 187. 
Ghauts, The, 1& 
Ghazy Beg, 60. 
Ghazy-nd-Deeo, 7L 
Gheria, 72. 
Gholab Singh. 177. 
Ghora Cotee, 18. 
Ghoorkas. 143, 144. 
Ghufoor Khan, 148. 
Ghttznee, 166, 171. 
Ghuznevy Dynasty, The, 4ft, 
Gilbert, General, 176, 182. 
Gillespie, Colonel, 139, 148, 141 
Goa. 58. 

Goddard, General, 103. 
Godeheu, M., 70, 
Gk>dwin, General, 184. 
Goojerat, 25, 181, 226. 
Golconda, 28. 
Gotama Buddha, 39. 
Gough, Sir H., 176, 181. 89L 
Grant, Sir H., 205. 
Greathead, Colonel, 208. 
Guicowar, The, 230. 
Gandwayna, 24, 28. 
Gnnga Dhow, 147. 
Guntoor, 97. 
Guzera^^, 27, 221, 230 
Gwalior, 28, 108, 169. 
Gwalior. Bajah of, 17& 

Hardinge, Sir H., 177. 

Harris, GeneraL 

Hartley, Colonel, 109. 

Hastings, Maniuis o^ 148, 145, 151, 

162, 153. 
Hastings, Warren, 100, 10% 108, 118, 

114, 116. 
Herat, 188, 189. 
Highlands of Central India* Id. 
Hill, Major, 184. 
Himalayan Region, The, 11. 
Hindus, The, 81 
Hinduism, 35. 
Hislop, SirJ., 146, 148. 
Hodson, Lieutenant, 202. 
Holkar, 107, 194, 181, 181^ 144, 148^ 

980,9801 



sss 



Holt, General, IW. 

HolweU, Mr., 80, 87. 

HoogUey, 61, 216 

Hoomayoon, 52. 

Hyderabad, 23, 28, 169, 184, S29. 

Hyder Ally, 95, 99, 109, 110, 112, 882. 

Ihambabarba, 206. 

Indore, 29. 

InduEh, Plain of the^ 16L 

Infanticide. 

Jains, The, 40. 
Janoojee Bhoslay, 04» 
Jats, The, 232. 
Java, 142. 
Jawud, 149. 
Jehangier, Shah, 58> 
Jehan, Shah, 53. 
Jellalabad, 169. 
Jeswunt Bao Bhow, 149. 
Jeypore, 28. 
Jhansi, 23, 185, 196 
Jhelum, 199. 
Jubbulpoie, 162. 
Jugdispore, 207. 
Julluiiaa, 199. 
Jullundar Douab, 177. 224 
Juggernaut, Car of, 88. 
Julal-ud-Deen, 50. 
Jung Bahadur, 205. 

Kaiser Bagh, The, 206 
Kallee Muddee, 205. 
Kalpee, 207. 
Kandahar, 165, 166. 
Kandeish, 22, 221, 222, 23a 
Kandy, 222. 
Karoon, 189. 
Katmandoo, 144. 
Kavanriagh. 204, 208, 
Keaiie, Sir J., 166. 
Keikobad, 50. 
Kerr, General, 146. 
Khan Bahadur, 206. 
Khan Mirza, 189. 
Khilghee Dynasty, The, Sa 
Kholus, The, 34 
Kooshab, 189. 
Khonds, The, 34, 40. 
Khurdlah, 125. 
Khyber Pass, The, 169, 170, 
Kimoor Mountains, The, 18. 
Kishen Daa 75. 
Kistna, The, 17. 
Knox, Captain, 89. 
Koer Singh, 206, 207. 
Eojuk Pass. The, 166L 
Kolapore, 27. 
Eoles, The, 34, IStL 
Eorewahs, 84. 
Koiiygaoia, 147. 



Kiidiii%87. 
Kdiatteyu, 881 
Knmaon, 14, 9SS. 
Kanchinjonga, 14k 
Kurds, The, 218. 
Koreem Khan, 145, Itfl 
Kosm Malik, 49. 
Kuttack Mehals, The, 8t, 
Kuttub-ud-Deen, 50, 228. 

Labourdonnais, M., 64, SVf. 
Lahore, 24, 177, 178, 199. 
Lake, General, 134. 136. 
Lall. Singh. 175, 176, 17& 
LaUy, M., 81, 84. 
Lambert, Captain, 183. 
Lancaster, Captain, 60. 
Laawarrde, 136 
Law, Mr., 98. 
Lawrence, Major, 67, 70- 
Lawrence, Sir J., 212, 218. 
Lawrence, Sir H., 197, 208 
Layard, Sir E., 207. 
Lepchas, The, 33. 
Leslie, Colonel, 107. 
Littler, Sir J., 176L 
Loodiana, 25, 177. 
Loshais, The, 33. 
Lucknow, 25, 197, 199, 204. 
Lukshmere Bye, 208. 

MACNAtroHTEN, Mr., 1691 

Macpherson, Mr., llOi. 

Madras, 23, 81, 216. 

Madura, 81. 

Maha Bundula, 168 

Maharajpoor, 172. 

Mahdoo Rao, 106. 

Mahe, 110, 

Mahmoud, 48. 

Mahomed Ally, 67, 71, 281 

Mahomed Shah, 54. 

Mahomet Reza Ehan, 104 

Mahrattas, 53, 106, 109, 136, 188, I4& 

146, 150. 
Mahratta Ditch, The. 75, 218, 28L 
Malabar, 18, 121, 221. 
Malacca, 25. 

Malcolm, Sir J., 148, 149t. 
Malwar, 16, 207, 230. 
Manaar, Gulfof, 20. 
Mangalore, 113. 
Martaban, 25, 164, 183. 
Martinifee, The, 206. 
Masalipatara, 61, 67, 88. 
Matthews, General, US. 
Mayo, Lord, 214 
Maxwell, Lieai.-Colonei, lOk 
Meanee, 178. 
Meanmeer, 194 
Medows, General, ISL 
li«eriUlu]n,121 



]learOoMliii,M.S7,8». 

If eer Jaffier, 78, 79, 83, 87, 88^ t2fl|, 

Meer Muhdun, 79. 

Meerun, 88, 87. 

Meerut, 23, 193, S2L 

Megasthenes, 47. 

Mehidpore, 148. 

Mejum-ud-Dowlah, 22(lL 

Menu, Code of, 36. 

Mergui, 25. 

Metcalfe, Mr, 141, 167, 16S. 

Minto, Lord, 139, 142. 

Mitchel, Colonel, 193. 

Modud, 49. 

Moguls, 61, 227. 

Mohammedans, 40. 

Mohammed Ganry, 40, S2BL 

Mohammerah, 189. 

Moira, Earl of, 143. 

Moodajee Bhoalay, 109 

Moodkee, 25. 

Moolraj, 179, 180. 

Monson, Colonel, 1361 

Moorshedabad, 22, 79, 

Moosee Bagh, 206. 

Morud, 53. 

Momington, 24, 179, 180, 181. 

Moulmein, 25. 

Moulvie of Fyzabad. The^ 207, 808. 

Mozufiar Jung, 66, 

Muazzim54, 

Mubarick, 50. 

Miiir, Colonel, 109. 

Molgolwar, 199. 

Mundane Egg, Th«, 8& 

Mundiscor, 205. 

Munro, Sir H., 89, 111. 

Mutohie Bhowan, The, 19T. 868 

Muttra, 24, 195. 

Hyaore. 27, 228, 8S4, SSL 

Nadik Shah, 54. 
Nagpore, 24, 185, 226. ^ 

Nana 3ahib, 196, 205, 807, 808. 
Nai\Jore, 110. 

Napier, Sir 0., 178, 188, 188, 884 
Narrak, 41. 
Natir Jung, 66^ 8S9. 
Neale,.GeneraI, 198, 199, SOft. 
NearchuB, 47. 
Neemuch, 195, 205. 
Neilgherriea, The, 19, 
Nepaul, 30, 143. 
Nicholaon, Brigadier, SOL 
Nizam Ally, 82, 94, 96, 108L 
Nizam-ul-Mulk, 64, 66, 8881 
Northbrook, Lord, 814. 
North-west Provinoeiu The. 88. 
Nott, General, 170. 
NuJum-nd-Dowlah^ 00 
Nunoomar, 104, lOS. 



OcHTEBiiOKT, QeiMn|, lil^ lii^ IHk 

Omichund, 78, 80. 
Oosoor, 97. 
Orissa; 213, 219, 229. 
Ottde, 16, 26, 128, 185. 198, 19S, 88B,Sn 
Ou8ely,SirO.,101,188. 
Oatram,SirJ.,178,189,! 
811. 

Paoet, Sir B., 164 

Palk's Straits, sa 
Palmer and Ca, 158, 188 
Paniput, 25, 228. 
Paroees, The, 41. 
Patan Dynasty, Theu 6Q|. 
Pedrotallagalla HilL 84 
Pegu, 25, 183, 288. 
Penang, 26. 
Perron, M., 184. 



Peshawur, 48, 194, 199. 

Peshwa, 24, 26, 166, 222, 884 

Pindarees. The, 141, 144, 148, 154 

Plassy, 78, 220. 

Pococke, Admiral, 84. 

PoUook, General, 169, 170, 17L 

Pondicherry, 30, 63, 65, 85. 

Poonah, 23, 32, 107, 222. 

Popham, Colonel, 108. 

Portuguese Poasesaioiu^ Ih*, 84 

Porus, 46. 

Pottinger, Mr.. 165. 188. 

PrimitiTe Tribes, The, 84 

Prame, 28^84 

Pnnjanb, The, 16, 84^ 144174in'.a4 

829. 
Pareshnun Bhow, 18L 
Poiganualu^ Hm^ 818 

Ra JAXUMDRT, 88. 

Bi^pootana, 89, 821, 88L 

Baiaa,84 

Bamesersm lalandi, 84 

Bam Narrain, 84 

Bamnngger, 180. 

Rangoon, 25, 154, 184 

Reman Shah, 127. 

Bennie, Oommodow^ 184 

Rewar,838. 

Roe.ShrT.,64 

Rohiloond, 16, 84 89, 181, 828, 884 

RohiUas, lOL 

Rose, Sir H., 206, 807, 804 814 

Royal, Captain, 187. 

Rnghoba, 106, 108, 104 

Rnghojee, BhoeUy, 188, 186, 881, 818 

Bunjeet, Singh, 188, 140, 144, U4 184 

Bnnjoor Sin^, 17^ 177. 

Rnxeea, Sultan*, 64 

Biroti» TH 18l> 



240 



OTDSZ. 



Salavat Joftg, 68^ 78, $B, SM. 

8a^lbye;i99: v ' 

Sale, General, 169, ITlt Hft. 

Salim, 221. • ^ 

Salkel4, 201, 20& 

Salsette, 106, lOa 

Sangur, 24, 205, 222. 

Santals, The, 34, 212. 

Sattara, 22, 27, 182, 222, 224. 

Savanoor, 78. 

Scinde, 224. . 

Sciridia, 107, 124, 181. 144, 17^ 207, 

221, 223, 230. 
Scylax, 45. 
Sealcote, 199. 
Seetabuldee, 148. 
Seleucus, 47. 
Semiramis. 46. 
Beringapatam, 28, 27, 111, ISl, Wf* 

142, 223. 
Sesostris, 44. 
Severndroog, 72. 
Shah Allum. 54, 86, 88, 220, 228. 
Shah Jehangier, 62, 216. 
Shah Suja, 141. 165, 167, 171. 
Sheer Mly, 180. 
Sheer Shah Soor, 52. 
Sheer Singh, 180, 181, 182. 
Shiva, 37. 
Shove, Sir J.. 124. 
Sikhs, The, 41, 140, 174, 176, 179, 209, 

224. 
Sikh States, 29, 224. 
Sikundur Bagh, The, 204, 
Sikuudur Jah, 135 
Sinde, 16, 22. 
Singapore, 25. 
Sirjee Anjengaom, 186. 
Sitanas, The, 212. 
Sivajee, 63, 74, 224, 230. 
Smith, Colonel, 96, 97 
Smith, Sir H., 177. 
Sobraon, 26, 177, 224. 
Soomoonang, 14. 
Boudras, 39. 
Suuthern India, 19. 
Staunton, Captain, 147. 
Stevenson, Colone^ 184, 136. 
Strabobates, 46. 
Straits Settlements, 26. 
Stuart, General, 113, 127, 205, 
Sufdur Jang, 228, 229. 
S^jahud-Dowlah, 102, 229. 
Snnderbunds, 16. 
Sun^-ud-Dowlah, 76, 77, 21% 229. 
Sarat, 22, 61, 216, 221. 
Butlej, 176. 
Battee, TK lOL 

tAinBiuura,n> 



Tknjor^ Sn, 280, SSI 

Itotia Topee, 206. SOV, 

Tavoy, 228. 

TkxUes, 46. 

Teetoo Meer, 168. 

Teignmouth, Lord, lS8w 

Tej Singh, 175. . 

Tenaaserim, 25, 28, 164, SHL 

Thomas, Brigadier. 208. 

Thuggee, Th«, 161. 

Thugs, The. 161. 

Tipperah, 30. 

Tippoo Sahib, 113, 120, 188, SSi, I 

Tirhcwt, 16. 

Toghluok Dynaafy, The^ 501, 

Tool^ee Angria. 

Toolsee Bye, 148. 

Torritorio, Cape, 201. . 

Tranquebar, 80. 

Travancore, 222. 

Triohinopoly, 23. 

Trimbuckjee DalngUa, 148^ Ufc 

Trimm*ti, 86, 38. 

Trincomalee, 26, 84, 98. 

Umballa, 176, 198, IM. 

Vaishtas, The, 89. 
Valoo Tumbee, 142. 
Vansittart, Mr., 86, 891 
Vasco de Gama, 67. 
Vedras, The, 86. 
Vellore, 139, 
Vieramaditya, 47. 
Vindhya Hills, 1& 
Vishnu, 87. 

Waoherms, The, Si. 
Waghnrs, The, 218. 
Wahabees, The. 212. 
Wandiwash, 81, 85, 111, 
Wasil Mahmoud, 149. 
Watson, Admiral, 76. 
Wellesley, General, 182. 
Wellesley, Marquis, 128, 187, SUk 
Wellesley Province, 25. 
Wheeler, Sir H., 196. 
Whish, General, 181. 
Willoughby, Lieutenaat^ 198. 
Wilson, Mr., 212. 
Wood, Colonel, 97. 
Wood, General, 144. 
Wurgaom, 108. 
Wyudham, 205. 

Yamdaboo, 165^ tm. 

ZKViMVABSe Tha^ IHL 
ZengUs Khan, 681, 



a/i 



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6 




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fe; 



I; 



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